Immersive web-based simulator for digital assistant-based applications

ABSTRACT

Immersive web-based simulator for digital assistant-based applications is provided. A system can provide, for display in a web browser, an inner iframe configured to load, in a secure, access restricted computing environment, an application configured to integrate with a digital assistant. The application can be provided by a third-party developer device. The system can provide, for display in a web browser, an outer iframe configured with a two-way communication protocol to communicate with the inner iframe. The system can provide a state machine to identify a current state of the application loaded in the inner frame, and load a next state of the application responsive to a control input.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claim the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 asa continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/889,475, filedJun. 1, 2020, which claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120as a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/466,235, filedJun. 3, 2019, which is a U.S. National Stage under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Patent Application No. PCT/US2019/029836, filed on Apr.30, 2019 and designating the United States, which claims the benefit ofpriority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/668,237, filed May 7, 2018, each of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Applications can be developed by a developer. As applications becomeincreasingly complex due to sophisticated features or multipleinteractions, it can be difficult identify errors or malfunctions, andremedy such errors or malfunctions.

SUMMARY

At least one aspect is directed to a system to detect errors in digitalassistant-based applications. The system can include a data processingsystem having one or more processors. The data processing system canidentify an application package file for an application. The applicationcan interface with a digital assistant via audio signals. Theapplication can be provided by an application developer. The dataprocessing system can receive, from a device of the applicationdeveloper, a transcript file for the application. The data processingsystem can establish, in a web browser executed by the device of theapplication developer, a first iframe of a simulator component fordigital assistant-based applications. The simulator component canestablish a plurality of iframes within the first iframe thatcommunicate between the plurality of iframes via a two-way communicationprotocol. The data processing system can provide, for display in the webbrowser executed by the device of the application developer, a secondiframe within the first iframe to load a control setting for thesimulator component. The data processing system can provide, for displayin the web browser, a third iframe within the first iframe to displayoutput of the simulator component. The data processing system canprovide, for display in the web browser, a fourth iframe within thefirst iframe that executes a state machine to generate a query based onthe transcript file and responsive to the control setting established inthe second iframe. The simulator component can provide, from the fourthiframe, the query for display via the web browser. The simulatorcomponent can receive, responsive to the query, an input. The simulatorcomponent can update a state of the state machine responsive to thequery and the input to generate an application output for display viathe third iframe. The simulator component can identify, based on asecond query generated by the state machine responsive to the input, anerror with the application. The simulator component can terminate,responsive to the error, at least one of the plurality of iframesestablished by the simulator component.

The fourth iframe may have restricted access to computing resources ofthe device of the application developer. The data processing system maybe configured to execute the state machine provided via the fourthiframe. The data processing system may be configured to: receive anaudio signal responsive to the query displayed by the simulatorcomponent; and provide the audio signal as the input to the statemachine of the fourth iframe. The application may be built by theapplication developer via a digital assistant application engineprovided by the data processing system. The data processing system maybe configured to load, in the second iframe, the control settingcomprising at least one of a surface, a language, or a location. Thedata processing system may be configured to receive, from the device ofthe application developer, an HTML, file comprising the transcript file.The data processing system may be configured to simulate one or morefeatures of the application and provide a dynamic, real-time interfacevia at least one of the plurality of iframes. The data processing systemmay be configured to: receive, via the control setting of the secondiframe, a selection of a surface from a plurality of surfaces; andgenerate the query based on a policy or characteristic for the surfaceselected via the second iframe. The data processing system may beconfigured to generate an alert indicating the error associated with theapplication simulated via the simulator component. The data processingsystem may be configured to block, responsive to the error, furthercommunication between at least two of the plurality of iframesestablished by the simulator component. The data processing system maybe configured to refresh, responsive to the error, at least one of theplurality of iframes established by the simulator component. The dataprocessing system may be configured to: remove, responsive to the error,at least one of the plurality of iframes; and establish a new instanceof the at least one of the plurality of iframes previously removed.

At least one aspect is directed to a method of detecting errors indigital assistant-based applications. The method can be performed by adata processing system having one or more processors. The method caninclude the data processing system identifying an application packagefile for an application. The application can interface with a digitalassistant via audio signals. The application can be provided by anapplication developer. The method can include the data processing systemreceiving, from a device of the application developer, a transcript filefor the application. The method can include the data processing systemestablishing, in a web browser executed by the device of the applicationdeveloper, a first iframe of a simulator component for digitalassistant-based applications. The method can include the simulatorcomponent establishing a plurality of iframes within the first iframethat communicate between the plurality of iframes via a two-waycommunication protocol (or bi-directional communication). The method caninclude the data processing system providing, for display in the webbrowser executed by the device of the application developer, a secondiframe within the first iframe to load a control setting for thesimulator component. The method can include the data processing systemproviding, for display in the web browser, a third iframe within thefirst iframe to display output of the simulator component. The methodcan include the data processing system providing, for display in the webbrowser, a fourth iframe within the first iframe that executes a statemachine to generate a query based on the transcript file and responsiveto the control setting established in the second iframe. The method caninclude the simulator component providing, from the fourth iframe, thequery for display via the web browser. The method can include thesimulator component receiving, responsive to the query, an input. Themethod can include the simulator component updating a state of the statemachine responsive to the query and the input to generate an applicationoutput for display via the third iframe. The method can include thesimulator component identifying, based on a second query generated bythe state machine responsive to the input, an error with theapplication. The method can include the simulator component terminating,responsive to the error, at least one of the plurality of iframesestablished by the simulator component.

The method may further comprise restricting access of the fourth iframeto computing resources of the device of the application developer. Themethod may further comprise executing, by the data processing system,the state machine provided via the fourth iframe. The method may furthercomprise: receiving an audio signal responsive to the query displayed bythe simulator component; and providing the audio signal as the input tothe state machine of the fourth iframe. The method may further compriseproviding, by the data processing system for loading in the secondiframe, the control setting comprising at least one of a surface, alanguage, or a location. The method may further comprise: receiving, bythe data processing system via the control setting of the second iframe,a selection of a surface from a plurality of surfaces; and generatingthe query based on a policy or characteristic for the surface selectedvia the second iframe. The method may further comprise removing,responsive to the error, at least one of the plurality of iframes; andestablishing a new instance of the at least one of the plurality ofiframes previously removed. The method may further comprise providing,by the data processing system, a digital assistant application enginefor use in building the application. The method may further comprisereceiving, by the data processing system, from the device of theapplication developer, an HTML, file comprising the transcript file. Themethod may further comprise: simulating, by the data processing system,one or more features of the application; and providing, by the dataprocessing system, an interface to the simulated application via atleast one of the plurality of iframes. The method may further comprisegenerating, by the data processing system, an alert indicating the errorassociated with the application simulated via the simulator component.The method may further comprise blocking, responsive to the error,further communication between at least two of the plurality of iframes.

At least one aspect is directed to a system to simulate digitalassistant-based applications. The system can include a data processingsystem having one or more processors. The data processing system canprovide, for display in a web browser, an inner iframe. The inner iframecan be configured to load, in a secure, access restricted computingenvironment, an application. The application can be configured tointegrate with a digital assistant. The application can be provided by athird-party developer device. The data processing system can provide,for display in a web browser, an outer iframe configured with a two-waycommunication protocol to communicate with the inner iframe. The dataprocessing system can provide a state machine to identify a currentstate of the application loaded in the inner frame, and load a nextstate of the application responsive to a control input.

At least one aspect is directed to a method of simulating digitalassistant-based applications. The method can be performed by a dataprocessing system having one or more processors. The method can includethe data processing system providing, for display in a web browser, aninner iframe. The inner iframe can be configured to load, in a secure,access restricted computing environment, an application. The applicationcan be configured to integrate with a digital assistant. The applicationcan be provided by a third-party developer device. The method caninclude the data processing system providing, for display in a webbrowser, an outer iframe configured with a two-way communicationprotocol to communicate with the inner iframe. The method can includethe data processing system providing a state machine to identify acurrent state of the application loaded in the inner frame, and load anext state of the application responsive to a control input.

A further aspect is directed to a computer-readable medium comprisinginstructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer toperform any of the methods disclosed herein. Another aspect is directedto a computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by acomputer, cause the computer to perform any of the methods disclosedherein.

These and other aspects and implementations are discussed in detailbelow. The foregoing information and the following detailed descriptioninclude illustrative examples of various aspects and implementations,and provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature andcharacter of the claimed aspects and implementations. The drawingsprovide illustration and a further understanding of the various aspectsand implementations, and are incorporated in and constitute a part ofthis specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. Likereference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate likeelements. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled inevery drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example system to simulate digitalassistant-based applications.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an operation of a system to simulatedigital assistant-based applications.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a graphical user interface of provided by asystem to simulate digital assistant-based applications.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a graphical user interface of provided by asystem to simulate digital assistant-based applications.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a graphical user interface of provided by asystem to simulate digital assistant-based applications.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a method of simulating digitalassistant-based applications.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flow chart of a method of simulatingdigital assistant-based applications.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a general architecture for acomputer system that can be employed to implement elements of thesystems and methods described and illustrated herein, including, forexample, the systems depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the graphical userinterfaces depicted in FIGS. 3-5 , and the method depicted in FIG. 7 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Following below are more detailed descriptions of various conceptsrelated to, and implementations of, methods, apparatuses, and systems ofsimulating, debugging, or detecting errors in digital assistant-basedapplications. The various concepts introduced above and discussed ingreater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways.

The present disclosure is generally directed to an immersive web-basedsimulator or simulation tool for digital assistant-based application.Systems and methods of the present technical solution can provide aweb-based simulation tool that allows a developer to load theirapplication content. The simulation tool can render or simulate thedeveloper's application in an inner frame, while providing an outerframe with which the application simulated in the inner frame cancommunicate using a two-way communication protocol. The simulation toolcan provide a state machine or state engine executing in a third iframethat shows the current state and next state of the application.

As applications become increasingly complex and have various featuresthat are state-dependent, it can be challenging to debug theapplications in order to identify and remedy errors, bugs, malfunctions,or other issues that can cause the application to function in anundesired or inefficient manner. For example, an application configuredwith a voice-based conversational application programming interface(“API”) that leverages natural language processing techniques tointerface with an end user may have various states, generate responsesor generate queries. The application can execute or interface withvarious different digital assistant surfaces, such as a speaker-baseddigital assistant, smartphone based digital assistant, television baseddigital assistant, smartwatch based digital assistant, automotive baseddigital assistant, or other application or surface. Each surface caninteract differently or provide different functions. Due to the varietyof surfaces via which the digital assistant-based application caninterface or execute, it can be challenging to simulate thedigital-assistant based application to identify any bugs or errors in asurface, or to determine whether the digital assistant applicationoperates in a similar, uniform or consistent manner across the differentsurfaces.

Thus, systems and methods of the present technical solution can providei) a two-way communication protocol; ii) a state machine; and iii)iframe communications. The simulation tool can allow developers tosimulate aspects of their digital assistant-based applications. Thestate machine can be configured to generate queries/responses, andiframes can be configured to communicate with one another. An iframe canrefer to an inline frame. An iframe can be an HTML (hypertext markuplanguage) element that allows an external webpage to be embedded in anHTML document. iframes can be inserted anywhere within a webpage layout.

A developer of an application can develop the application using anapplication development engine, and then provide a transcript file(e.g., an HTML file with the developer's content). The simulation toolcan simulate features of the application and provide a dynamic real-timeinterface via an inner iframe of the webpage layout. The simulation toolcan generate the inner iframe and load the content of the application inthe inner iframe. The simulation tool can create an outer iframe thatprovides controls. The simulation tool can create a third iframe with astate machine. The iframes can communicate with one another, therebyproviding a simulation tool having dynamic interactions using iframes.The simulation tool supports this functionality on the web, and isuniform across devices or digital assistant surfaces. The simulationtool can be used to simulate/mimic the behavior of the digitalassistant-enabled applications on various devices.

For example, a developer can create an application for building to-dolists. The developer can provide the digital assistant server (e.g.,data processing system) with an HTML, file with content. The digitalassistant can present an iframe with a hook to the simulation tool. Thesimulation tool can use a 2-way communication protocol, a state machineto synchronize aspects of the conversational or operational flow, andthe state machine to generate queries or responses. Thus, the developercan validate or verify that their application is functioning as expectedon one or more different types of devices or digital assistant surfaces.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 to route packetized actions viaa computer network. The system 100 can include content selectioninfrastructure. The system 100 can include a data processing system 102.The data processing system 102 can communicate with one or more of acontent provider computing device 106, service provider computing device108, or client computing device 104 via a network 105. The network 105can include computer networks such as the Internet, local, wide, metro,or other area networks, intranets, satellite networks, and othercommunication networks such as voice or data mobile telephone networks.The network 105 can be used to access information resources such as webpages, web sites, domain names, or uniform resource locators that can bepresented, output, rendered, or displayed on at least one computingdevice 104, such as a laptop, desktop, tablet, personal digitalassistant, smart phone, portable computers, or speaker. For example, viathe network 105 a user of the computing device 104 can accessinformation or data provided by a service provider 108 or contentprovider 106. The computing device 104 may or may not include a display;for example, the computing device may include limited types of userinterfaces, such as a microphone and speaker. In some cases, the primaryuser interface of the computing device 104 may be a microphone andspeaker.

The network 105 can include or constitute a display network, e.g., asubset of information resources available on the internet that areassociated with a content placement or search engine results system, orthat are eligible to include third party digital components as part of adigital component placement campaign. The network 105 can be used by thedata processing system 102 to access information resources such as webpages, web sites, domain names, or uniform resource locators that can bepresented, output, rendered, or displayed by the client computing device104. For example, via the network 105 a user of the client computingdevice 104 can access information or data provided by the contentprovider computing device 106 or the service provider computing device108.

The network 105 may be any type or form of network and may include anyof the following: a point-to-point network, a broadcast network, a widearea network, a local area network, a telecommunications network, a datacommunication network, a computer network, an ATM (Asynchronous TransferMode) network, a SONET (Synchronous Optical Network) network, a SDH(Synchronous Digital Hierarchy) network, a wireless network and awireline network. The network 105 may include a wireless link, such asan infrared channel or satellite band. The topology of the network 105may include a bus, star, or ring network topology. The network mayinclude mobile telephone networks using any protocol or protocols usedto communicate among mobile devices, including advanced mobile phoneprotocol (“AMPS”), time division multiple access (“TDMA”), code-divisionmultiple access (“CDMA”), global system for mobile communication(“GSM”), general packet radio services (“GPRS”) or universal mobiletelecommunications system (“UMTS”). Different types of data may betransmitted via different protocols, or the same types of data may betransmitted via different protocols.

The system 100 can include at least one data processing system 102. Thedata processing system 102 can include at least one logic device such asa computing device having a processor to communicate via the network105, for example with the computing device 104, the content providerdevice 106 (content provider 106), or the service provider device 108(or service provider 108). The data processing system 102 can include atleast one computation resource, server, processor or memory. Forexample, the data processing system 102 can include a plurality ofcomputation resources or servers located in at least one data center.The data processing system 102 can include multiple, logically-groupedservers and facilitate distributed computing techniques. The logicalgroup of servers may be referred to as a data center, server farm or amachine farm. The servers can also be geographically dispersed. A datacenter or machine farm may be administered as a single entity, or themachine farm can include a plurality of machine farms. The serverswithin each machine farm can be heterogeneous—one or more of the serversor machines can operate according to one or more type of operatingsystem platform.

Servers in the machine farm can be stored in high-density rack systems,along with associated storage systems, and located in an enterprise datacenter. For example, consolidating the servers in this way may improvesystem manageability, data security, the physical security of thesystem, and system performance by locating servers and high performancestorage systems on localized high performance networks. Centralizationof all or some of the data processing system 102 components, includingservers and storage systems, and coupling them with advanced systemmanagement tools allows more efficient use of server resources, whichsaves power and processing requirements and reduces bandwidth usage.

The system 100 can include, access, or otherwise interact with at leastone service provider device 108. The service provider device 108 caninclude at least one logic device such as a computing device having aprocessor to communicate via the network 105, for example with thecomputing device 104, the data processing system 102, or the contentprovider 106. The service provider device 108 can include at least onecomputation resource, server, processor or memory. For example, serviceprovider device 108 can include a plurality of computation resources orservers located in at least one data center. The service provider device108 can include one or more component or functionality of the dataprocessing system 102.

The content provider computing device 106 can provide audio baseddigital components for display by the client computing device 104 as anaudio output digital component. The digital component can include anoffer for a good or service, such as a voice based message that states:“Would you like me to order you a taxi?” For example, the contentprovider computing device 155 can include memory to store a series ofaudio digital components that can be provided in response to a voicebased query. The content provider computing device 106 can also provideaudio based digital components (or other digital components) to the dataprocessing system 102 where they can be stored in the data repository124. The data processing system 102 can select the audio digitalcomponents and provide (or instruct the content provider computingdevice 106 to provide) the audio digital components to the clientcomputing device 104. The audio based digital components can beexclusively audio or can be combined with text, image, or video data.

The service provider device 108 can include, interface, or otherwisecommunicate with at least one service provider natural languageprocessor component 142 and a service provider interface 144. Theservice provider computing device 108 can include at least one serviceprovider natural language processor (NLP) component 142 and at least oneservice provider interface 144. The service provider NLP component 142(or other components such as a direct action API of the service providercomputing device 108) can engage with the client computing device 104(via the data processing system 102 or bypassing the data processingsystem 102) to create a back-and-forth real-time voice or audio basedconversation (e.g., a session) between the client computing device 104and the service provider computing device 108. The service provider NLP142 can include one or more function or feature as the NLP component 112of the data processing system 102. For example, the service providerinterface 144 can receive or provide data messages to the direct actionAPI 116 of the data processing system 102. The service providercomputing device 108 and the content provider computing device 106 canbe associated with the same entity. For example, the content providercomputing device 106 can create, store, or make available digitalcomponents for a car sharing service, and the service provider computingdevice 108 can establish a session with the client computing device 104to arrange for a delivery of a taxi or car of the car share service topick up the end user of the client computing device 104. The dataprocessing system 102, via the direct action API 116, the NLP component112 or other components can also establish the session with the clientcomputing device, including or bypassing the service provider computingdevice 108, to arrange for example for a delivery of a taxi or car ofthe car share service.

The service provider device 108 can include or refer to a provider of anapplication. The service provider device 108 can include or refer to anapplication developer device. The service provider device 108 can be athird-party provider device.

The computing device 104 can include, interface, or otherwisecommunicate with at least one sensor 134, transducer 136, audio driver138, or pre-processor 140. The sensor 134 can include, for example, anambient light sensor, proximity sensor, temperature sensor,accelerometer, gyroscope, motion detector, GPS sensor, location sensor,microphone, or touch sensor. The transducer 136 can include a speaker ora microphone. The audio driver 138 can provide a software interface tothe hardware transducer 136. The audio driver can execute the audio fileor other instructions provided by the data processing system 102 tocontrol the transducer 136 to generate a corresponding acoustic wave orsound wave. The pre-processor 140 can be configured to detect a keywordand perform an action based on the keyword. The pre-processor 140 canfilter out one or more terms or modify the terms prior to transmittingthe terms to the data processing system 102 for further processing. Thepre-processor 140 can convert the analog audio signals detected by themicrophone into a digital audio signal, and transmit one or more datapackets carrying the digital audio signal to the data processing system102 via the network 105. In some cases, the pre-processor 140 cantransmit data packets carrying some or all of the input audio signalresponsive to detecting an instruction to perform such transmission. Theinstruction can include, for example, a trigger keyword or other keywordor approval to transmit data packets comprising the input audio signalto the data processing system 102.

The client computing device 104 can be associated with an end user thatenters voice queries as audio input into the client computing device 104(via the sensor 134) and receives audio output in the form of a computergenerated voice that can be provided from the data processing system 102(or the content provider computing device 106 or the service providercomputing device 108) to the client computing device 104, output fromthe transducer 136 (e.g., a speaker). The computer generated voice caninclude recordings from a real person or computer generated language.

The data repository 124 can include one or more local or distributeddatabases, and can include a database management system. The datarepository 124 can include computer data storage or memory and can storeone or more parameters 126, one or more policies 128, content data 130,or templates 132 among other data. The parameters 126, policies 128, andtemplates 132 can include information such as rules about a voice basedsession between the client computing device 104 and the data processingsystem 102 (or the service provider computing device 108). The contentdata 130 can include digital components for audio output or associatedmetadata, as well as input audio messages that can be part of one ormore communication sessions with the client computing device 104.

The data processing system 102 can include a content placement systemhaving at least one computation resource or server. The data processingsystem 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with atleast one interface 110. The data processing system 102 can include,interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one natural languageprocessor component 112. The data processing system 102 can include,interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one direct actionapplication programming interface (“API”) 116. The data processingsystem 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with atleast one session handler 114. The data processing system 102 caninclude, interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one contentselector component 118. The data processing system 102 can include,interface, or otherwise communicate with at least one audio signalgenerator 122. The data processing system 102 can include, interface, orotherwise communicate with at least one simulator component 146. Thedata processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwisecommunicate with at least one controller component 148. The dataprocessing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicatewith at least one state machine component 150. The data processingsystem 102 can include, interface, or otherwise communicate with atleast one sandbox environment 152.

The data processing system 102 can include, interface, or otherwisecommunicate with at least one data repository 124. The at least one datarepository 124 can include or store, in one or more data structures ordatabases, parameters 126, policies 128, content data 130, or templates132. Parameters 126 can include, for example, thresholds, distances,time intervals, durations, scores, or weights. Content data 130 caninclude, for example, content campaign information, content groups,content selection criteria, digital component objects or otherinformation provided by a content provider 106 or obtained or determinedby the data processing system to facilitate content selection. Thecontent data 130 can include, for example, historical performance of acontent campaign.

The interface 110, natural language processor component 112, sessionhandler 114, direct action API 116, content selector component 118,audio signal generator component 122, simulator component 146,controller component 148, state machine component 150, or sandboxenvironment 152 can each include at least one processing unit or otherlogic device such as programmable logic array engine, or moduleconfigured to communicate with the database repository or database 124.The interface 110, natural language processor component 112, sessionhandler 114, direct action API 116, content selector component 118,audio signal generator component 122, simulator component 146,controller component 148, state machine component 150, sandboxenvironment 152 and data repository 124 can be separate components, asingle component, or part of the data processing system 102. The system100 and its components, such as a data processing system 102, caninclude hardware elements, such as one or more processors, logicdevices, or circuits.

The data processing system 102 can obtain anonymous computer networkactivity information associated with a plurality of computing devices104. A user of a computing device 104 can affirmatively authorize thedata processing system 102 to obtain network activity informationcorresponding to the user's computing device 104. For example, the dataprocessing system 102 can prompt the user of the computing device 104for consent to obtain one or more types of network activity information.The identity of the user of the computing device 104 can remainanonymous and the computing device 104 can be associated with a uniqueidentifier (e.g., a unique identifier for the user or the computingdevice provided by the data processing system or a user of the computingdevice). The data processing system can associate each observation witha corresponding unique identifier.

A content provider 106 can establish an electronic content campaign. Theelectronic content campaign can be stored as content data 130 in datarepository 124. An electronic content campaign can refer to one or morecontent groups that correspond to a common theme. A content campaign caninclude a hierarchical data structure that includes content groups,digital component data objects, and content selection criteria. Tocreate a content campaign, content provider 106 can specify values forcampaign level parameters of the content campaign. The campaign levelparameters can include, for example, a campaign name, a preferredcontent network for placing digital component objects, a value ofresources to be used for the content campaign, start and end dates forthe content campaign, a duration for the content campaign, a schedulefor digital component object placements, language, geographicallocations, type of computing devices on which to provide digitalcomponent objects. In some cases, an impression can refer to when adigital component object is fetched from its source (e.g., dataprocessing system 102 or content provider 106), and is countable. Insome cases, due to the possibility of click fraud, robotic activity canbe filtered and excluded, as an impression. Thus, in some cases, animpression can refer to a measurement of responses from a Web server toa page request from a browser, which is filtered from robotic activityand error codes, and is recorded at a point as close as possible toopportunity to render the digital component object for display on thecomputing device 104. In some cases, an impression can refer to aviewable or audible impression; e.g., the digital component object is atleast partially (e.g., 20%, 30%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or more)viewable on a display device of the client computing device 104, oraudible via a speaker 136 of the computing device 104. A click orselection can refer to a user interaction with the digital componentobject, such as a voice response to an audible impression, amouse-click, touch interaction, gesture, shake, audio interaction, orkeyboard click. A conversion can refer to a user taking a desired actionwith respect to the digital component objection; e.g., purchasing aproduct or service, completing a survey, visiting a physical storecorresponding to the digital component, or completing an electronictransaction.

The content provider 106 can further establish one or more contentgroups for a content campaign. A content group includes one or moredigital component objects and corresponding content selection criteria,such as keywords, words, terms, phrases, geographic locations, type ofcomputing device, time of day, interest, topic, or vertical. Contentgroups under the same content campaign can share the same campaign levelparameters, but may have tailored specifications for particular contentgroup level parameters, such as keywords, negative keywords (e.g., thatblock placement of the digital component in the presence of the negativekeyword on main content), bids for keywords, or parameters associatedwith the bid or content campaign.

To create a new content group, the content provider can provide valuesfor the content group level parameters of the content group. The contentgroup level parameters include, for example, a content group name orcontent group theme, and bids for different content placementopportunities (e.g., automatic placement or managed placement) oroutcomes (e.g., clicks, impressions, or conversions). A content groupname or content group theme can be one or more terms that the contentprovider 106 can use to capture a topic or subject matter for whichdigital component objects of the content group is to be selected fordisplay. For example, a car dealership can create a different contentgroup for each brand of vehicle it carries, and may further create adifferent content group for each model of vehicle it carries. Examplesof the content group themes that the car dealership can use include, forexample, “Make A sports car” “Make B sports car,” “Make C sedan,” “MakeC truck,” “Make C hybrid,” or “Make D hybrid.” An example contentcampaign theme can be “hybrid” and include content groups for both “MakeC hybrid” and “Make D hybrid”, for example.

The content provider 106 can provide one or more keywords and digitalcomponent objects to each content group. Keywords can include terms thatare relevant to the product or services of associated with or identifiedby the digital component objects. A keyword can include one or moreterms or phrases. For example, the car dealership can include “sportscar,” “V-6 engine,” “four-wheel drive,” “fuel efficiency,” as keywordsfor a content group or content campaign. In some cases, negativekeywords can be specified by the content provider to avoid, prevent,block, or disable content placement on certain terms or keywords. Thecontent provider can specify a type of matching, such as exact match,phrase match, or broad match, used to select digital component objects.

The content provider 106 can provide one or more keywords to be used bythe data processing system 102 to select a digital component objectprovided by the content provider 106. The content provider 106 canidentify one or more keywords to bid on, and further provide bid amountsfor various keywords. The content provider 106 can provide additionalcontent selection criteria to be used by the data processing system 102to select digital component objects. Multiple content providers 106 canbid on the same or different keywords, and the data processing system102 can run a content selection process or ad auction responsive toreceiving an indication of a keyword of an electronic message.

The content provider 106 can provide one or more digital componentobjects for selection by the data processing system 102. The dataprocessing system 102 (e.g., via content selector component 118) canselect the digital component objects when a content placementopportunity becomes available that matches the resource allocation,content schedule, maximum bids, keywords, and other selection criteriaspecified for the content group. Different types of digital componentobjects can be included in a content group, such as a voice digitalcomponent, audio digital component, content item, a text digitalcomponent, an image digital component, video digital component,multimedia digital component, or digital component link. Upon selectinga digital component, the data processing system 102 can transmit thedigital component object for rendering on a computing device 104 ordisplay device of the computing device 104. Rendering can includedisplaying the digital component on a display device, or playing thedigital component via a speaker of the computing device 104. The dataprocessing system 102 can provide instructions to a computing device 104to render the digital component object. The data processing system 102can instruct the computing device 104, or an audio driver 138 of thecomputing device 104, to generate audio signals or acoustic waves.

The data processing system 102 can include an interface component 110designed, configured, constructed, or operational to receive andtransmit information using, for example, data packets. The interface 110can receive and transmit information using one or more protocols, suchas a network protocol. The interface 110 can include a hardwareinterface, software interface, wired interface, or wireless interface.The interface 110 can facilitate translating or formatting data from oneformat to another format. For example, the interface 110 can include anapplication programming interface that includes definitions forcommunicating between various components, such as software components.

The data processing system 102 can include an application, script orprogram installed at the client computing device 104, such as an app tocommunicate input audio signals to the interface 110 of the dataprocessing system 102 and to drive components of the client computingdevice to render output audio signals. The data processing system 102can receive data packets or other signal that includes or identifies anaudio input signal. For example, the data processing system 102 canexecute or run the NLP component 112 to receive or obtain the audiosignal and parse the audio signal. For example, the NLP component 112can provide for interactions between a human and a computer. The NLPcomponent 112 can be configured with techniques for understandingnatural language and allowing the data processing system 102 to derivemeaning from human or natural language input. The NLP component 112 caninclude or be configured with technique based on machine learning, suchas statistical machine learning. The NLP component 112 can utilizedecision trees, statistical models, or probabilistic models to parse theinput audio signal. The NLP component 112 can perform, for example,functions such as named entity recognition (e.g., given a stream oftext, determine which items in the text map to proper names, such aspeople or places, and what the type of each such name is, such asperson, location, or organization), natural language generation (e.g.,convert information from computer databases or semantic intents intounderstandable human language), natural language understanding (e.g.,convert text into more formal representations such as first-order logicstructures that a computer module can manipulate), machine translation(e.g., automatically translate text from one human language to another),morphological segmentation (e.g., separating words into individualmorphemes and identify the class of the morphemes, which can bechallenging based on the complexity of the morphology or structure ofthe words of the language being considered), question answering (e.g.,determining an answer to a human-language question, which can bespecific or open-ended), semantic processing (e.g., processing that canoccur after identifying a word and encoding its meaning in order torelate the identified word to other words with similar meanings).

The NLP component 112 converts the audio input signal into recognizedtext by comparing the input signal against a stored, representative setof audio waveforms (e.g., in the data repository 124) and choosing theclosest matches. The set of audio waveforms can be stored in datarepository 124 or other database accessible to the data processingsystem 102. The representative waveforms are generated across a largeset of users, and then may be augmented with speech samples from theuser. After the audio signal is converted into recognized text, the NLPcomponent 112 matches the text to words that are associated, for examplevia training across users or through manual specification, with actionsthat the data processing system 102 can serve.

The audio input signal can be detected by the sensor 134 or transducer136 (e.g., a microphone) of the client computing device 104. Via thetransducer 136, the audio driver 138, or other components the clientcomputing device 104 can provide the audio input signal to the dataprocessing system 102 (e.g., via the network 105) where it can bereceived (e.g., by the interface 110) and provided to the NLP component112 or stored in the data repository 124.

The NLP component 112 can obtain the input audio signal. From the inputaudio signal, the NLP component 112 can identify at least one request orat least one trigger keyword corresponding to the request. The requestcan indicate intent or subject matter of the input audio signal. Thetrigger keyword can indicate a type of action likely to be taken. Forexample, the NLP component 112 can parse the input audio signal toidentify at least one request to leave home for the evening to attenddinner and a movie. The trigger keyword can include at least one word,phrase, root or partial word, or derivative indicating an action to betaken. For example, the trigger keyword “go” or “to go to” from theinput audio signal can indicate a need for transport. In this example,the input audio signal (or the identified request) does not directlyexpress an intent for transport, however the trigger keyword indicatesthat transport is an ancillary action to at least one other action thatis indicated by the request. In some cases, the trigger keyword canrefer to or include a wakeup word, activation word or keyword thatcauses the computing device 104 to begin processing the input audiosignal.

The NLP component 112 can parse the input audio signal to identify,determine, retrieve, or otherwise obtain the request and the triggerkeyword. For instance, the NLP component 112 can apply a semanticprocessing technique to the input audio signal to identify the triggerkeyword or the request. The NLP component 112 can apply the semanticprocessing technique to the input audio signal to identify a triggerphrase that includes one or more trigger keywords, such as a firsttrigger keyword and a second trigger keyword. For example, the inputaudio signal can include the sentence “I need someone to do my laundryand my dry cleaning.” The NLP component 112 can apply a semanticprocessing technique, or other natural language processing technique, tothe data packets comprising the sentence to identify trigger phrases “domy laundry” and “do my dry cleaning”. The NLP component 112 can furtheridentify multiple trigger keywords, such as laundry, and dry cleaning.For example, the NLP component 112 can determine that the trigger phraseincludes the trigger keyword and a second trigger keyword.

The NLP component 112 can filter the input audio signal to identify thetrigger keyword. For example, the data packets carrying the input audiosignal can include “It would be great if I could get someone that couldhelp me go to the airport”, in which case the NLP component 112 canfilter out one or more terms as follows: “it”, “would”, “be”, “great”,“if”, “I”, “could”, “get”, “someone”, “that”, “could”, or “help”. Byfiltering out these terms, the NLP component 112 may more accurately andreliably identify the trigger keywords, such as “go to the airport” anddetermine that this is a request for a taxi or a ride sharing service.

In some cases, the NLP component can determine that the data packetscarrying the input audio signal includes one or more requests. Forexample, the input audio signal can include the sentence “I need someoneto do my laundry and my dry cleaning.” The NLP component 112 candetermine this is a request for a laundry service and a dry cleaningservice. The NLP component 112 can determine this is a single requestfor a service provider that can provide both laundry services and drycleaning services. The NLP component 112 can determine that this is tworequests; a first request for a service provider that performs laundryservices, and a second request for a service provider that provides drycleaning services. In some cases, the NLP component 112 can combine themultiple determined requests into a single request, and transmit thesingle request to a service provider device 108. In some cases, the NLPcomponent 112 can transmit the individual requests to respective serviceprovider devices 108, or separately transmit both requests to the sameservice provider device 108.

The data processing system 102 can include a direct action API 116designed and constructed to generate, based on the trigger keyword, anaction data structure responsive to the request. Processors of the dataprocessing system 102 can invoke the direct action API 116 to executescripts that generate a data structure to a service provider device 108to request or order a service or product, such as a car from a car shareservice. The direct action API 116 can obtain data from the datarepository 124, as well as data received with end user consent from theclient computing device 104 to determine location, time, user accounts,logistical or other information to allow the service provider device 108to perform an operation, such as reserve a car from the car shareservice. Using the direct action API 116, the data processing system 102can also communicate with the service provider device 108 to completethe conversion by in this example making the car share pick upreservation.

The direct action API 116 can execute a specified action to satisfy theend user's intention, as determined by the data processing system 102.Depending on the action specified in its inputs, the direct action API116 can execute code or a dialog script that identifies the parametersrequired to fulfill a user request. Such code can look-up additionalinformation, e.g., in the data repository 124, such as the name of ahome automation service, or it can provide audio output for rendering atthe client computing device 104 to ask the end user questions such asthe intended destination of a requested taxi. The direct action API 116can determine necessary parameters and can package the information intoan action data structure, which can then be sent to another componentsuch as the content selector component 118 or to the service providercomputing device 108 to be fulfilled.

The direct action API 116 can receive an instruction or command from theNLP component 112, or other component of the data processing system 102,to generate or construct the action data structure. The direct actionAPI 116 can determine a type of action in order to select a templatefrom the template repository 132 stored in the data repository 124.Types of actions can include, for example, services, products,reservations, or tickets. Types of actions can further include types ofservices or products. For example, types of services can include carshare service, food delivery service, laundry service, maid service,repair services, or household services. Types of products can include,for example, clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, computers, books, orjewelry. Types of reservations can include, for example, dinnerreservations or hair salon appointments. Types of tickets can include,for example, movie tickets, sports venue tickets, or flight tickets. Insome cases, the types of services, products, reservations or tickets canbe categorized based on price, location, type of shipping, availability,or other attributes.

The direct action API 116, upon identifying the type of request, canaccess the corresponding template from the template repository 132.Templates can include fields in a structured data set that can bepopulated by the direct action API 116 to further the operation that isrequested of the service provider device 108 (such as the operation ofsending a taxi to pick up an end user at a pickup location and transportthe end user to a destination location). The direct action API 116 canperform a lookup in the template repository 132 to select the templatethat matches one or more characteristic of the trigger keyword andrequest. For example, if the request corresponds to a request for a caror ride to a destination, the data processing system 102 can select acar sharing service template. The car sharing service template caninclude one or more of the following fields: device identifier, pick uplocation, destination location, number of passengers, or type ofservice. The direct action API 116 can populate the fields with values.To populate the fields with values, the direct action API 116 can ping,poll or otherwise obtain information from one or more sensors 134 of thecomputing device 104 or a user interface of the device 104. For example,the direct action API 116 can detect the source location using alocation sensor, such as a GPS sensor. The direct action API 116 canobtain further information by submitting a survey, prompt, or query tothe end of user of the computing device 104. The direct action API cansubmit the survey, prompt, or query via interface 110 of the dataprocessing system 102 and a user interface of the computing device 104(e.g., audio interface, voice-based user interface, display, or touchscreen). Thus, the direct action API 116 can select a template for theaction data structure based on the trigger keyword or the request,populate one or more fields in the template with information detected byone or more sensors 134 or obtained via a user interface, and generate,create or otherwise construct the action data structure to facilitateperformance of an operation by the service provider device 108.

The data processing system 102 can select the template based from thetemplate data structure 132 based on various factors including, forexample, one or more of the trigger keyword, request, third partyprovider device 108, type of third party provider device 108, a categorythat the third party provider device 108 falls in (e.g., taxi service,laundry service, flower service, or food delivery), location, or othersensor information.

To select the template based on the trigger keyword, the data processingsystem 102 (e.g., via direct action API 116) can perform a look-up orother query operation on the template database 132 using the triggerkeyword to identify a template data structure that maps or otherwisecorresponds to the trigger keyword. For example, each template in thetemplate database 132 can be associated with one or more triggerkeywords to indicate that the template is configured to generate anaction data structure responsive to the trigger keyword that the thirdparty provider device 108 can process to establish a communicationsession.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 can identify a third partyprovider device 108 based on the trigger keyword. To identify the thirdparty provider 108 based on the trigger keyword, the data processingsystem 102 can perform a lookup in the data repository 124 to identify athird party provider device 108 that maps to the trigger keyword. Forexample, if the trigger keyword includes “ride” or “to go to”, then thedata processing system 102 (e.g., via direct action API 116) canidentify the third party provider device 108 as corresponding to TaxiService Company A. The data processing system 102 can select thetemplate from the template database 132 using the identify third partyprovider device 108. For example, the template database 132 can includea mapping or correlation between third party provider devices 108 orentities to templates configured to generate an action data structureresponsive to the trigger keyword that the third party provider device108 can process to establish a communication session. In some cases, thetemplate can be customized for the third party provider device 108 orfor a category of third party provider devices 108. The data processingsystem 102 can generate the action data structure based on the templatefor the third party provider 108.

To construct or generate the action data structure, the data processingsystem 102 can identify one or more fields in the selected template topopulate with values. The fields can be populated with numerical values,character strings, Unicode values, Boolean logic, binary values,hexadecimal values, identifiers, location coordinates, geographic areas,timestamps, or other values. The fields or the data structure itself canbe encrypted or masked to maintain data security.

Upon determining the fields in the template, the data processing system102 can identify the values for the fields to populate the fields of thetemplate to create the action data structure. The data processing system102 can obtain, retrieve, determine or otherwise identify the values forthe fields by performing a look-up or other query operation on the datarepository 124.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 can determine that theinformation or values for the fields are absent from the data repository124. The data processing system 102 can determine that the informationor values stored in the data repository 124 are out-of-date, stale, orotherwise not suitable for the purpose of constructing the action datastructure responsive to the trigger keyword and request identified bythe NLP component 112 (e.g., the location of the client computing device104 may be the old location and not be the current location; an accountcan be expired; the destination restaurant may have moved to a newlocation; physical activity information; or mode of transportation).

If the data processing system 102 determines that it does not currentlyhave access, in memory of the data processing system 102, to the valuesor information for the field of the template, the data processing system102 can acquire the values or information. The data processing system102 can acquire or obtain the information by querying or polling one ormore available sensors of the client computing device 104, prompting theend user of the client computing device 104 for the information, oraccessing an online web-based resource using an HTTP protocol. Forexample, the data processing system 102 can determine that it does nothave the current location of the client computing device 104, which maybe a needed field of the template. The data processing system 102 canquery the client computing device 104 for the location information. Thedata processing system 102 can request the client computing device 104to provide the location information using one or more location sensors134, such as a Global Positioning System sensor, WIFI triangulation,cell tower triangulation, Bluetooth beacons, IP address, or otherlocation sensing technique.

The direct action API 116 can transmit the action data structure to athird party provider device (e.g., service provider device 108) to causethe third party provider device 108 to invoke a conversationalapplication programming interface (e.g., service provider NLP component142) and establish a communication session between the third partyprovider device 108 and the client computing device 104. Responsive toestablishing the communication session between the service providerdevice 108 and the client computing device 1004, the service providerdevice 108 can transmit data packets directly to the client computingdevice 104 via network 105. In some cases, the service provider device108 can transmit data packets to the client computing device 104 viadata processing system 102 and network 105.

In some cases, the third party provider device 108 can execute at leasta portion of the conversational API 142. For example, the third partyprovider device 108 can handle certain aspects of the communicationsession or types of queries. The third party provider device 108 mayleverage the NLP component 112 executed by the data processing system102 to facilitate processing the audio signals associated with thecommunication session and generating responses to queries. In somecases, the data processing system 102 can include the conversational API142 configured for the third party provider 108. In some cases, the dataprocessing system routes data packets between the client computingdevice and the third party provider device to establish thecommunication session. The data processing system 102 can receive, fromthe third party provider device 108, an indication that the third partyprovider device established the communication session with the clientdevice 104. The indication can include an identifier of the clientcomputing device 104, timestamp corresponding to when the communicationsession was established, or other information associated with thecommunication session, such as the action data structure associated withthe communication session.

In some cases, the conversational API can be a second NLP that includesone or more component or function of the first NLP 112. The second NLP142 can interact or leverage the first NLP 112. In some cases, thesystem 100 can include a single NLP 112 executed by the data processingsystem 102. The single NLP 112 can support both the data processingsystem 102 and the third party service provider device 108. In somecases, the direct action API 116 generates or constructs an action datastructure to facilitate performing a service, and the conversational APIgenerates responses or queries to further a communication session withan end user or obtain additional information to improve or enhance theend user's experience or performance of the service.

The data processing system 102 can include, execute, access, orotherwise communicate with a session handler component 114 to establisha communication session between the client device 104 and the dataprocessing system 102. The communication session can refer to one ormore data transmissions between the client device 104 and the dataprocessing system 102 that includes the input audio signal that isdetected by a sensor 134 of the client device 104, and the output signaltransmitted by the data processing system 102 to the client device 104.The data processing system 102 (e.g., via the session handler component114) can establish the communication session responsive to receiving theinput audio signal. The data processing system 102 can set a durationfor the communication session. The data processing system 102 can set atimer or a counter for the duration set for the communication session.Responsive to expiration of the timer, the data processing system 102can terminate the communication session.

The communication session can refer to a network-based communicationsession in which the client device 104 provides authenticatinginformation or credentials to establish the session. In some cases, thecommunication session refers to a topic or a context of audio signalscarried by data packets during the session. For example, a firstcommunication session can refer to audio signals transmitted between theclient device 104 and the data processing system 102 that are related to(e.g., include keywords, action data structures, or digital componentobjects) a taxi service; and a second communication session can refer toaudio signals transmitted between the client device 104 and dataprocessing system 102 that are related to a laundry and dry cleaningservice. In this example, the data processing system 102 can determinethat the context of the audio signals are different (e.g., via the NLPcomponent 112), and separate the two sets of audio signals intodifferent communication sessions. The session handler 114 can terminatethe first session related to the ride service responsive to identifyingone or more audio signals related to the dry cleaning and laundryservice. Thus, the data processing system 102 can initiate or establishthe second session for the audio signals related to the dry cleaning andlaundry service responsive to detecting the context of the audiosignals.

The data processing system 102 can include, execute, or otherwisecommunicate with a content selector component 118 to receive the triggerkeyword identified by the natural language processor and select, basedon the trigger keyword, a digital component via a real-time contentselection process. The content selection process can refer to, orinclude, selecting sponsored digital component objects provided by thirdparty content providers 106. The real-time content selection process caninclude a service in which digital components provided by multiplecontent providers are parsed, processed, weighted, or matched in orderto select one or more digital components to provide to the computingdevice 104. The content selector component 118 can perform the contentselection process in real-time. Performing the content selection processin real-time can refer to performing the content selection processresponsive to the request for content received via the client computingdevice 104. The real-time content selection process can be performed(e.g., initiated or completed) within a time interval of receiving therequest (e.g., 5 seconds, 10 seconds, 20 seconds, 30 seconds, 1 minute,2 minutes, 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, or 20 minutes). Thereal-time content selection process can be performed during acommunication session with the client computing device 104, or within atime interval after the communication session is terminated.

For example, the data processing system 102 can include a contentselector component 118 designed, constructed, configured or operationalto select digital component objects. To select digital components fordisplay in a voice-based environment, the data processing system 102(e.g., via NLP component 112) can parse the input audio signal toidentify keywords (e.g., a trigger keyword), and use the keywords toselect a matching digital component based on a broad match, exact match,or phrase match. For example, the content selector component 118 cananalyze, parse, or otherwise process subject matter of candidate digitalcomponents to determine whether the subject matter of the candidatedigital components correspond to the subject matter of the keywords orphrases of the input audio signal detected by the microphone of theclient computing device 104. The content selector component 118 mayidentify, analyze, or recognize voice, audio, terms, characters, text,symbols, or images of the candidate digital components using an imageprocessing technique, character recognition technique, natural languageprocessing technique, or database lookup. The candidate digitalcomponents may include metadata indicative of the subject matter of thecandidate digital components, in which case the content selectorcomponent 118 may process the metadata to determine whether the subjectmatter of the candidate digital component corresponds to the input audiosignal.

Content providers 106 may provide additional indicators when setting upa content campaign that includes digital components. The contentprovider 106 may provide information at the content campaign or contentgroup level that the content selector component 118 may identify byperforming a lookup using information about the candidate digitalcomponent. For example, the candidate digital component may include aunique identifier, which may map to a content group, content campaign,or content provider. The content selector component 118 may determine,based on information stored in content campaign data structure in datarepository 124, information about the content provider 106.

The data processing system 102 can receive, via a computer network, arequest for content for presentation on a computing device 104. The dataprocessing system 102 can identify the request by processing an inputaudio signal detected by a microphone of the client computing device104. The request can include selection criteria of the request, such asthe device type, location, and a keyword associated with the request.The request can include the action data structure or action datastructure.

Responsive to the request, the data processing system 102 can select adigital component object from data repository 124 or a databaseassociated with the content provider 106, and provide the digitalcomponent for presentation via the computing device 104 via network 105.The digital component object can be provided by a content providerdevice 106 different from the service provider device 108. The digitalcomponent can correspond to a type of service different from a type ofservice of the action data structure (e.g., taxi service versus fooddelivery service). The computing device 104 can interact with thedigital component object. The computing device 104 can receive an audioresponse to the digital component. The computing device 104 can receivean indication to select a hyperlink or other button associated with thedigital component object that causes or allows the computing device 104to identify service provider 108, request a service from the serviceprovider 108, instruct the service provider 108 to perform a service,transmit information to the service provider 108, or otherwise query theservice provider device 108.

The data processing system 102 can include, execute, or communicate withan audio signal generator component 122 to generate an output signal.The output signal can include one or more portions. For example, theoutput signal can include a first portion and a second portion. Thefirst portion of the output signal can correspond to the action datastructure. The second portion of the output signal can correspond to thedigital component selected by the content selector component 118 duringthe real-time content selection process.

The audio signal generator component 122 can generate the output signalwith a first portion having sound corresponding to the first datastructure. For example, the audio signal generator component 122 cangenerate the first portion of the output signal based on one or morevalues populated into the fields of the action data structure by thedirect action API 116. In a taxi service example, the values for thefields can include, for example, 123 Main Street for pick-up location,1234 Main Street for destination location, 2 for number of passengers,and economy for the level of service. The audio signal generatorcomponent 122 can generate the first portion of the output signal inorder to confirm that the end user of the computing device 104 wants toproceed with transmitting the request to the service provider 108. Thefirst portion can include the following output “Would you like to orderan economy car from taxi service provider A to pick two people up at 123Main Street and drop off at 1234 Main Street?”

In some cases, the first portion can include information received fromthe service provider device 108. The information received from serviceprovider device 108 can be customized or tailored for the action datastructure. For example, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via directaction API 116) can transmit the action data structure to the serviceprovider 108 before instructing the service provider 108 to perform theoperation. Instead, the data processing system 102 can instruct theservice provider device 108 to perform initial or preliminary processingon the action data structure to generate preliminary information aboutthe operation. In the example of the taxi service, the preliminaryprocessing on the action data structure can include identifyingavailable taxis that meet the level of service requirement that arelocated around the pick-up location, estimating an amount of time forthe nearest available taxi to reach the pick-up location, estimating atime of arrival at the destination, and estimating a price for the taxiservice. The estimated preliminary values may include a fixed value, anestimate that is subject to change based on various conditions, or arange of values. The service provider device 108 can return thepreliminary information to the data processing system 102 or directly tothe client computing device 104 via the network 105. The data processingsystem 102 can incorporate the preliminary results from the serviceprovider device 108 into the output signal, and transmit the outputsignal to the computing device 104. The output signal can include, forexample, “Taxi Service Company A can pick you up at 123 Main Street in10 minutes, and drop you off at 1234 Main Street by 9 AM for $10. Do youwant to order this ride?” This can form the first portion of the outputsignal.

In some cases, the data processing system 102 can form a second portionof the output signal. The second portion of the output signal caninclude a digital component selected by the content selector component118 during a real-time content selection process. The first portion canbe different from the second portion. For example, the first portion caninclude information corresponding to the action data structure that isdirectly responsive to the data packets carrying the input audio signaldetected by the sensor 134 of the client computing device 104, whereasthe second portion can include a digital component selected by a contentselector component 118 that can be tangentially relevant to the actiondata structure, or include sponsored content provided by a contentprovider device 106. For example, the end user of the computing device104 can request a taxi from Taxi Service Company A. The data processingsystem 102 can generate the first portion of the output signal toinclude information about the taxi from the Taxi Service Company A.However, the data processing system 102 can generate the second portionof the output signal to include a digital component selected based onthe keywords “taxi service” and information contained in the action datastructure that the end user may be interested in. For example, thesecond portion can include a digital component or information providedby a different taxi service company, such as Taxi Service Company B.While the user may not have specifically requested Taxi Service CompanyB, the data processing system 102 may nonetheless provide a digitalcomponent from Taxi Service Company B because the user may choose toperform an operation with Taxi Service Company B.

The data processing system 102 can transmit information from the actiondata structure to the Taxi Service Company B to determine a pick-uptime, time of arrival at the destination, and a price for the ride. Thedata processing system 102 can receive this information and generate thesecond portion of the output signal as follows: “Taxi Service Company Bcan pick you up at 123 Main Street in 2 minutes, and drop you off at1234 Main Street by 8:52 AM for $15. Do you want this ride instead?” Theend user of computing device 104 can then select the ride provided byTaxi Service Company A or the ride provided by Taxi Service Company B.

Prior to providing, in the second portion of the output signal, thesponsored digital component corresponding to the service provided byTaxi Service Company B, the data processing system 102 can notify theend user computing device that the second portion corresponds to adigital component object selected during a real-time content selectionprocess (e.g., by the content selector component 118). However, the dataprocessing system 102 can have limited access to different types ofinterfaces to provide the notification to the end user of the computingdevice 104. For example, the computing device 104 may not include adisplay device, or the display device may be disabled or turned off. Thedisplay device of the computing device 104 may consume greater resourcesthan the speaker of the computing device 104, so it may be lessefficient to turn on the display device of the computing device 104 ascompared to using the speaker of the computing device 104 to convey thenotification. Thus, in some cases, the data processing system 102 canimprove the efficiency and effectiveness of information transmissionover one or more interfaces or one or more types of computer networks.For example, the data processing system 102 (e.g., via the audio signalgenerator component 122) can module the portion of the output audiosignal comprising the digital component to provide the indication ornotification the end user that that portion of the output signalcomprises the sponsored digital component.

The data processing system 102 (e.g., via interface 110 and network 105)can transmit data packets comprising the output signal generated by theaudio signal generator component 122. The output signal can cause theaudio driver component 138 of or executed by the client device 104 todrive a speaker (e.g., transducer 136) of the client device 104 togenerate an acoustic wave corresponding to the output signal.

To simulate digital assistant-based application provided by a serviceprovider device 108 or application developer, the data processing system102 can provide a simulator component 146. The simulator component 146can be designed, constructed and operational to provide, for display ina web browser, an inner iframe configured to load, in a secure, accessrestricted computing environment, an application configured to integratewith a digital assistant. The application can be provided by athird-party developer device (e.g., service provider device 108). Thesimulator component 146 can provide, for display in a web browser, anouter iframe configured with a two-way communication protocol tocommunicate with the inner iframe. The simulator component 146 canprovide a state machine to identify a current state of the applicationloaded in the inner frame, and load a next state of the applicationresponsive to a control input.

The two-way communication protocol can include, for example, a two-wayiframe communication protocol. Messages can be sent to, from or betweeniframes or a parent frame using the two-way communication protocol. Forexample, the parent frame can send messages to an iframe using, forexample, “iframeE1.contentWindow.postMessage”. The parent frame canreceive message using, for example, “window.addEventListener(‘message’).An iframe can send messages to a parent window using, for example,“window.parent.postMessage”. An iframe can receive messages using, forexample, “window.addEventListener(‘message’). This postMessage( )technique can accept parameters, such as message and targetOrigin. Themessage parameter can include a string or an object that is to be sentto the receiving window. The targetOrigin parameter can include theuniform resource locator (“URL”) of the window that the message is beingsent to. The protocol, port and hostname of the target window can be setto match this parameter for the message to be sent. Using a wildcard,such as “*” can match any URL.

Two iframes can communicate with one another using the parent frame as arelay. For example, a parent frame (e.g., first frame) can have twochild iframes (e.g., second iframe and third iframe). The second iframecan communicate with the parent frame, which can relay the communicationto the third iframe. The third iframe can reply to the communication bysending a message back to the parent frame, which can relay the messageto the second iframe. Thus, the two-way communication protocol caninclude the parent frame relaying messages between the second iframe andthe third iframe.

The controller component 148 can receive application content. Theapplication content can be provided in a data file, such as an HTMLfile. The application content can include a transcript file. Thetranscript file can be provided as an HTML file (hyper text markuplanguage). The transcript file can be provided as in an extensiblemarkup language (XML) file. The controller component 148 can process orparse the content from the developer. The application can be built usinga digital assistant application engine. The application can be builtusing the digital assistant application engine to interface with adigital assistant using audio signals. The digital assistant applicationengine can refer to a console, software development kit, or applicationprogramming interface that is configured to allow a developer to buildan application with one or more of hotword or trigger word detection,voice control, or natural language understanding. For example, thedigital assistant application engine can refer to a console, softwaredevelopment kit, or application programming interface that is configuredto allow a developer to define actions. An action can be built using theengine by mapping an intent to fulfillment. An action can define anentry point to start conversations, along with a unique identifier(which can be referred to as the intent) that maps to a fulfillment thatprocesses the intent. For example, an action can be to purchase goods,check the status of an order, or show a daily deal. An intent can bedefined that can be triggered by saying “OK, talk to My Favorite ShoeStore to buy some shoes.”

The application can be stored in the data processing system 102, datarepository 124 or the simulator component 146. The controller component148 can be configured to provide input or output controls to thedevelopers when simulating the application. The controller component 148can be configured to provide settings adjustment to the developer whensimulating the application. Adjustable settings can include, forexample, a type of surface (e.g., digital assistant surface, mobilesurface, television surface, speaker surface, or type of applicationsurface), language, or location. The controller component 148 canprovide the loaded application for view in an iframe.

The simulator component 146 can establish one or more iframes. Thesimulator component 146 can establish the iframes by providing theiframes for display in a web browser that is executed by a computingdevice 104, service provider device 108, or content provider device 106.Any one of the computing device 104, content provider device 106 orservice provider device 108 can be referred to as an applicationdeveloper device or a device of the application developer. The simulatorcomponent 146 can establish an instance of the simulator component 146in an iframe. The simulator component 146 can establish an instance ofthe simulator component 146 in a main frame or parent frame that isprovided via a web browser. The simulator component 146 can establish aplurality of iframes within the main frame or parent frame (or firstframe, or first iframe, or main iframe or parent iframe) thatcommunicate between the plurality of iframes via a two-way communicationprotocol. The iframes can communicate between each other directly usingthe two-way communication protocol, or the parent frame can relay thecommunication between the iframes.

An iframe can refer to an inline frame. An iframe can be an HTML(hypertext markup language) element that allows an external webpage tobe embedded in an HTML document. iframes can be inserted anywhere withina webpage layout. The controller component 148 can establish one or moreiframes to be generated or presented in a web browser. One or morecomponents or functions of the simulator component 146 can be providedusing one more iframes. For example, the simulation tool, controls,application content, or state machine can be provided in one or moreiframes. For example, a first iframe can be referred to as a parentiframe that includes the entire simulation tool. In some cases, thefirst iframe can be a parent frame or main frame that includes one ormore child iframes. A second iframe can be referred to as an outeriframe that includes the controls for the simulation. A third iframe canbe referred to as an inner iframe that includes the application content.A fourth iframe can include the state machine. For example, the statemachine component 150 can execute in, via, or interface with the fourthiframe.

In another example, the simulator component 146 can establish a firstiframe for an instance of the simulator component or as a main framewithin which multiple iframes can be established. The simulatorcomponent 146 can establish or provide a second iframe within the firstiframe. The simulator component 146 can establish or provide controlsettings within the second iframe.

The controller component 148 can provide control settings for display ina web browser. The controller component 148 can provide control settingsfor display in an iframe. The iframe can be a main frame or a childiframe, such as an iframe within a main frame. For example, a firstiframe can be a main iframe for the simulator component 146, and thecontrol settings can be provided for display by the controller component148 within an iframe (e.g., a second iframe) within the first iframe.The control settings can refer to settings used by the simulatorcomponent 146 to simulate the application received from an applicationdeveloper device (e.g., service provider device 108 or content providerdevice 106). The control settings can include one or more of a surface,a language, or a location. The simulator component 146 can use thesecontrol settings to simulate various aspects of the application. Surfacecan refer to a type of digital channel, computing device, or userinterface. Surfaces can include, for example, mobile computing device,desktop computing device, laptop computing device, or tablet computingdevice. Surfaces can indicate types of user interfaces or inputs oroutput available, such as voice-only interface, audio-based interface,display, keyboard, mouse, or touchscreen, for example. Languages caninclude any spoken or written language, such as English, French,Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, etc. The simulator component 146 can simulateuser interface aspects of the application in accordance with theselected language. For example, the simulator component 146 can generatetext output for display using the selected language. The simulatorcomponent 146 can generate audio output using the selected language. Ifthe simulator component 146 is not configured to generate audio outputfor a selected language, then the simulator component 146 can determineto default to generating text output for the selected language. If thesimulator component 146 is also not configured to generate text outputfor the selected language, the simulator component 146 can default togenerating audio or text output in a language that is similar to theselected language (e.g., if selected language is French, but theapplication is not configured for French, then default to Spanish) orother default language (e.g., English).

The location control setting can refer to a geographic region,geopolitical boundary, continent, country, state, zip code, or othergeographic area. The simulator component 146 can use the locationinformation to simulate aspects of the application, such as noticerequirements, search results, currency, or other location or regionbased information.

The simulator component 146 can establish or provide a third iframewithin the first iframe. The simulator component 146 can provideapplication output via the third iframe, or provide other informationassociated with the simulation or simulator component. The dataprocessing system 102 can provide output based on an updated state ofthe state machine. The output can be application output or simulatorcomponent 146 output that is provided for display via the third iframe.The simulator component can provide output via the third iframeresponsive to loading the transcript file. Loading the transcript filecan refer to parsing the transcript file, processing the transcriptfile, formatting the transcript file, or storing or forwarding thetranscript file to one or more other component of the simulatorcomponent 146 or data processing system 102 for further processing orsimulation.

The simulator component 146 can establish or provide a fourth iframe.The simulator component 146 can establish or provide, within the fourthiframe, a state machine. The state machine can refer to an instance ofthe state machine component 150. The state machine component 150, orinstance thereof, can be executed in the fourth iframe establishedwithin the first iframe by the simulator component 146. The dataprocessing system 102 can cause the execution of the state machinewithin the fourth iframe. The state machine, upon execution, cangenerate a query based on the transcript file loaded in the secondiframe and responsive to the control setting established in the secondiframe.

The state machine can be loaded or executed in the fourth iframe. Thestate machine, or fourth iframe, may have restricted access to computingresources of the device of the application developer. The state machinecan execute in a sandboxed computing environment. The data processingsystem 102 can execute a portion of the state machine. The state machinecan be executed entirely in the fourth iframe on the device of theapplication developer. The state machine can be executed by both the webbrowser and the data processing system 102. The state machine canexecute on the device of the application developer (e.g., 104, 106 or108) and interface or communicate with the data processing system 102for one or more processing tasks or data. The data processing system 102can entirely execute the state machine and provide the output of thestate machine for display via the fourth iframe.

The simulator component 146 can load the application in a sandboxcomputing environment 152. A sandbox computing environment can refer toa portion of memory, a processor, a thread or other computing structureor virtual area that has restricted access to other hardware, software,memory, or function of the data processing system 102. The sandboxedcomputing environment can be a secure computing environment that isconfigured to prohibit the application or simulator component 146 fromaccessing certain functions, ports, or components of the data processingsystem 102. For example, the application that is being simulated may notbe secure or may include errors or bugs. To prevent the application fromadversely impacting other functions of the data processing system 102,the data processing system 102 can launch the simulation of theapplication in the sandboxed computing environment 152.

The simulator component 146 can provide or simulate one or more featuresof the loaded application. The simulator component 146 can provide adynamic, real-time interface via the inner iframe. For example, thestate machine component 150 can generate queries or responses inaccordance with the HTML transcript file for the application. The statemachine component 150 can identify a current state and determine a nextstate based on the current state or an input or output associated withthe current state. The state machine component 150 can identify one ormore subsequent states. The state machine component 150 can identify ordetermine the state for a selected digital assistant surface. Forexample, the controller component 148 can receive a selection of asurface from a plurality of surfaces, and simulate the application viathe inner frame based on one or more policies or characteristicsassociated with the selected surface. For example, the simulatorcomponent 146 or instance thereof executing via the one or more iframescan receive, via the control setting of the second iframe, a selectionof a surface. The simulator component 146 (or state machine component150 or instance thereof) can generate the query based on a policy orcharacteristic for the surface selected via the second iframe. Thepolicy or characteristic can be indicated in the application packagefile. The policy or characteristic can be stored in the policies datastructure 128. The policy can include, for example, to generate acertain type of query based on the type of surface (e.g., conversationquery for an audio only user interface; text query for a surface with adisplay; or search query for a desktop computer).

The simulator component 146 can simulate one or more other component ofthe data processing system 102, such as the NLP component 112, interface110, session handler component 114, direct action API 116, audio signalgenerator component 122 or content selector component 118.

The simulator component 146 can execute the state machine in the iframeto generate a query based on the transcript file and control settings.The simulator component 146 can cause the state machine to provide thequery for display. The simulator component 146 can cause the statemachine to provide the query for display via the fourth iframe oranother iframe. The simulator component 146 can cause the state machineto transmit the query via the two-way communication protocol to anotheriframe for display or further processing. The simulator component 146can cause the state machine to provide the generated query for displayvia the web browser.

The simulator component 146 can receive, responsive to the generatedquery, an input. For example, the generated query can include asuggested input. The input can correspond to or be responsive to thegenerated query. The query can state “provide input” or indicate a typeof input or content to provide as input. The input can include text oraudio input. The input can include audio converted to text. The inputcan include a request, query, command, instruction, or other data. Thesimulator component 146 or state machine component 150 can receive anaudio signal responsive to the query displayed by the simulatorcomponent, and provide the audio signal as the input to the statemachine of the fourth iframe.

The simulator component 146 can update a state of the state machineresponsive to the query and the input. The simulator component 146 canupdate a state of the state machine executing in the fourth iframe. Thestate machine executing in the fourth iframe can update the state. Thestate machine can process the input and update the state based on one ormore of the application, transcript file, or control settings. Thesimulator component 146 of the data processing system 102 may or may notinterface with the state machine executing via the fourth iframe inorder to determine the next state or update the state. For example, aninstance of the simulator component 146 can execute on via the webbrowser executing on the device of the application developer (e.g., 104,106 or 108).

The state machine component 150 (or the instance of the state machinecomponent executing via the iframe of the web browser) can update thestate and generate a second query responsive to or based on the input.Updating the state of the state machine can include generating thesecond query. The second query can be generated or retrieved from thetranscript file provided by the application developer. The second querycan be generated based on policies, logic, rules, instructions or otherdata provided via the transcript file. The state machine can generatethe second query based on one or more components of the data processingsystem 102. The state machine can use one or more components of the dataprocessing system 102 to generate the second query or update the stateof the state machine.

The simulator component 146, data processing system 102 or other scriptexecuting via the web browser can identify, based on the second querygenerated by the state machine responsive to the input, an error withthe application. The error can refer to or indicate an inability toupdate the state, or the next state being an undesired or incorrectstate. The error can refer to or indicate that the state machine wasunable to determine the next state or process the input signal. Theerror can indicate that the application or transcript file may not beconfigured to handle or process the input. For example, the input can bein a different language from the language provided in the controlsetting, the application may not be configured to process the languageused to provide the input, and may not be configured to handle theexception. The error can indicate that the input included a request fora data file or content that may not be accessible to the application,but the application may not be configured to respond in this instance.The data processing system 102 (or one or more component or instance ofsuch component executing on the device of the application developer viathe web browser) can generate an alert indicating the error associatedwith the application simulated via the simulator component 146

For example, the simulator component 146 can identify or detect an errorassociated with the application being simulated, and then generate analert indicating the error. The generation of the alert can facilitateidentifying the error or bug in the application. The data processingsystem 102 can generate a report indicating the error. The dataprocessing system 102 can terminate, responsive to the error, at leastone of the plurality of iframes established by the simulator component.The data processing system 102 can automatically remedy the error if theerror is due to an issue the data processing system 102 is configured toautomatically resolve, such as a typographical error, a common error, ora file linking error.

The data processing system 102 can perform one or more actionsresponsive to the error. For example, responsive to the error, the dataprocessing system 102 (or component or instance thereof) can blockcommunication between two or more iframes, refresh one or more iframes,remove an iframe, or establish a new instance of an iframe. For example,the data processing system 102 can block further communication betweenthe iframe having the error and other iframes. The data processingsystem 102 can disable or terminate the communication via the two-waycommunication protocol used to communicate between the iframes. The dataprocessing system 102 can block, disable, or prevent the communicationbetween the iframe having the error. For example, the data processingsystem 102 can determine which iframe is associated with the error orcaused the error, and prevent that iframe from communicating with theother iframes in order to allow the simulator component to continue withthe simulation without disrupting the other components. While blockingone of the iframes from communicating with other iframes may adverselyimpact the simulation, the simulator component can perform one or moreother functions without information from the blocked off iframe. In somecases, the simulator component, responsive to detecting the lack ofcommunication from an iframe or responsive to blocking an iframe, caninitiate a new instance of the iframe in order to continue with thesimulation.

The data processing system 102 can refresh, responsive to the error, atleast one of the plurality of iframes established by the simulatorcomponent. The data processing system 102 can determine which iframecaused the error or has crashed, and then refresh that iframe.Refreshing the iframe can include restarting the iframe and providingthe same input. Refreshing the iframe can include returning the iframeto the same state immediately prior to the iframe crashing. Refreshingthe iframe can include re-loading the iframe to an initial state, andthen providing an initial input.

The data processing system 102 can remove, responsive to the error, atleast one of the plurality of iframes. The data processing system 102can close, cancel, terminate, delete or otherwise remove the iframe. Thedata processing system 102 can establish a new instance of the at leastone of the plurality of iframes previously removed. For example, thedata processing system 102 can determine which iframe crashed orresulted in the error, remove that iframe, and establish or initiate anew instance of the same iframe. The data processing system 102 canestablish the new instance of the iframe with a default state of theiframe such that the simulator component 146 can continue with a newquery or restart the simulation with the original query or input. Insome cases, if a particular input resulted in the error, then the dataprocessing system 102 can prevent the same input from being entered intothe simulation until the developer has updated or fixed the application,thereby preventing further errors or crashes and preventing or reducingwasted computing resource utilization.

The simulator component 146 can provide, in a debug section of thegraphical user interface (e.g., Debug section 334 depicted in FIG. 3 )information that facilitates the developer working with the outer frameand manage states. The following pseudo code provides exampleinformation:

“immersiveResponse”: {  “loadImmersiveID”: “”,  “loadImmersiveUrl”:https://Example.applicationlocation.com/  “rawHtml”: “”,  “updateState”:{  fieldsMap” : [   |    “fields”,   {     nullVAlue”: 0,    numberValue”: 0,     “stringValue”: “”,    boolVAlue”: false,   structValue”: {     fieldsMap”: [    |    “data”,    {    “nullValue”: 0,      “numberValue”: 0,     “StringValue”: “”,    “boolVAlue”: false,     “structValue”: {     “fieldsMap”: [     |    “stringVlue”,     {     nullValue”: 0,     “numberValue”: 0,    “stringValue”:“\”[{\\\”actionType\\\::\\\”Initiale_Chunk\\\”, \\\tts\\\Text\\\”;\\\”<speak>\\n<media xm1: id\\\\\\\\ “EXAMPLE_INTRO_WELCOME_MUSIC\\\\\\”repeatCount=“1”; soundLevel=0.00 dB; fadeInOut=0 seconds; fadeoutduration=3 seconds; end=“Intro_Welcome.end-0.3s”; audiosource=https://example_application_audio_file; media-xml.

FIG. 2 is an illustration of the system 100 to simulate a digitalassistant-based application. The system can include one or morecomponents of system 100 depicted in FIG. 1 . At 205, the simulatorcomponent 146 can receive from the simulated client computing device 206(e.g., simulation of client device 104) data packets carrying the inputaudio signal detected by a microphone or other sensor of the simulatedcomputing device 206 (or the computing device 104 used by theapplication developer). The simulator component 146 can receive theinput audio signal via the simulator user interface. The data processingsystem 102 can parse the input audio signal to identify a keyword,request or other information to generate an action data structureresponsive to the request.

At ACT 210, simulated digital assistant 204 (e.g., simulator component146 or portion of data processing system 102) can transmit the actiondata structure to the simulated service provider device 202 (or thirdparty provider device 108). The simulated digital assistant 204 cantransmit the action data structure via a network. The simulated serviceprovider device 202 can include an interface configured to receive andprocess the action data structure transmitted by the simulated digitalassistant 204.

The simulated service provider device 202 (e.g., via a conversationalAPI) can respond to the action data structure at ACT 215. The responsefrom the simulated service provider device 202 can be generated bysimulator component 146 (or state machine component 150), and caninclude an indication of a service to perform corresponding to theaction data structure. The response can include a confirmation toproceed with performing the operation. The response can include arequest for further information to perform the operation correspondingto the action data structure. For example, the action data structure canbe for a ride, and the simulated service provider 202 can respond with arequest for further information such as a number of passengers for theride, a type of car desired by the passenger, desired amenities in thecar, or preferred pick up location. The request for additionalinformation can include information that may not be present in theaction data structure. For example, the action data structure caninclude baseline information to perform the operation, such as thepick-up location, destination location, and number of passengers. Thebaseline information can be the standard data set used by a plurality ofservice providers 108 within the taxi service category. However, acertain taxi service provider 108 can choose to customize and improvethe operation by requesting additional information or preferences fromthe simulated client computing device 206.

The simulated service provider device 202 can transmit one or more datapackets carrying the response to the simulated digital assistant 204 atACT 215. The simulated digital assistant 204 can parse the data packetsand identify a source of the data packets and a destination for the datapackets. At ACT 220, the simulated digital assistant 204 can,accordingly, route or forward the data packets to the simulated clientcomputing device 206. The simulated digital assistant 204 can route orforward the data packets via network 105.

At ACT 225, the simulated client computing device 206 can transmit aninstruction or command to the simulated digital assistant based on theforwarded response. For example, the response forwarded at 225 can be arequest for a number of passengers and a confirmation to proceed withscheduling the taxi ride. The instruction at 225 can include the numberof passengers and the instruction to proceed with scheduling the pickup.The simulated client computing device 206 can transmit one or more datapackets carrying the instruction to the simulated digital assistant 204.The simulated digital assistant 204 can route or forward the datapackets carrying the instructions to the simulated service providerdevice 202 at ACT 230.

The simulated digital assistant 204 can route or forward the datapackets at ACT 220 or ACT 230 as-is (e.g., without manipulating the datapackets). The digital assistant 204 can process the data packets tofilter out information, or encapsulate the data packets with informationto facilitate processing of the data packets by the simulated serviceprovider device 202 or the simulated client computing device 206.

The simulator component 146 can simulate content selection such as viathe content selector component 118. The simulator component 146, forexample, can simulate selecting content in response to keywords orrequests via the simulated application, and present digital components.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of a graphical user interface of provided by asystem to simulate digital assistant-based applications. FIG. 3 depictsa basic frame structure system 300 provided by simulator 304 (e.g.,simulator component 146). The graphical user interface can be providedby a system that includes one or more component of system 100 depictedin FIG. 1 or system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 . The graphical userinterface 300 of the simulator tool includes a simulator indicator 304.The GUI 300 includes a parent frame 302. The GUI 300 can be rendered viaa web browser or other application configured to execute and present aweb page layout. The GUI 300 includes an outer frame 322 and an innerframe 324. The inner frame provides a visual output or prompt using agraphical user interface element. For example, a prompt, popup,notification or other graphical user interface display to test thebeginning 338 of the application or simulator 304. The visual candisplay the response to the test beginning, introduction, or initialscreen of the application or simulator 304.

The outer frame 322 provides control buttons or view buttons, such asdisplay 326, request 328, response 330, audio 332, debug 334 and errors336. The buttons 326, 328, 330, 332, 334 and 336 can include a graphicaluser interface element, widget, button, drop down menu, toggle, switch,or other graphical user interface element configured to provide outputor receive input to facilitate performance of an action or execution ofa command. For example, \electing a button, such as errors 336 buttoncan provide a display of identified errors. Selecting the display 326button, for example, can cause the simulator 304 to display or renderfor display output provided via the simulator 304. The output can bedisplayed in the inner frame 324. Selecting the request 328 button, forexample, can cause the simulator 304 to generate a request or simulate arequest, such as a request for an input or a request for a content item.Selecting the response button 330, for example, can cause the simulator304 to simulate a response or allow a user to input a response.Selecting the audio 332 button, for example, can signal the simulator304 to provide audio output or audio input. Selecting the debug 334button, for example, cause the simulator 304 to perform a debug process.The debug process can include simulating a predetermined sequence ofstates, or inputs to the simulator 304 or application thereof. The debugprocess can include entering a debug mode in which the simulator 304 cangenerate error logs, store error logs, or otherwise provide error logs.Selecting the errors 336 button can, for example, display one or moreerrors that were logged by the simulator 304.

The parent frame provides settings inputs, such as surface 306, language308 and location. The parent frame can provide such settings within aniframe 352 that is within the parent frame. The settings can be providedwithin the iframe 352, which can be referred to as a second iframe 352.The developer can select the type of surface 306, such as mobile phonedigital assistant surface 320, speaker digital assistant surface 318, ortelevision digital assistant surface 316. The mobile phone digitalassistant surface 320 can refer to a configuration or settings thatsimulate hardware or software that corresponds to a mobile phone (e.g.,a mobile computing device having a display, touchscreen, locationsensor, or cellular-based communication capabilities). The speakerdigital assistant surface 318 can refer to a configuration or settingsthat simulate hardware or software that corresponds to a speaker orsmart speaker (e.g., a speaker lacking a display device). The televisiondigital assistant surface 316 can refer to a configuration or settingsthat simulate hardware or software that corresponds to a television orlarge display that is typically mounted on a wall or placed on atelevision stand a distance greater than arm's length from the user. Thedeveloper can input language 308 as English 314. The developer can inputlocation 310 as Mountain View, Calif. 312.

The simulator 304 (simulator component 146 of data processing system102) can provide an iframe with the input audio signal input dialog. Thesimulator 304 can provide an icon 340 that displays an interactionbetween mobile computing devices. The simulator 304 can provide textualinstructions “Test your app by typing or saying “talk test” below or inany device you're logged into with <account_ID_1>.” (342). At 344, thesimulator 304 provides suggest input of “talk to test” (346). At 348,the input 350 is provided by the developer as “talk to test” (348), inaccordance with the input suggested at 344 by the simulator 304. Thesimulator 304 can simulate, in an iframe 354, the application by loadinga state machine in iframe 354. The iframe 354 can execute or provide astate machine. The iframe 354 can be referred to as a fourth iframe.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the parent frame 302 can bereferred to as a first frame or first iframe. The iframe 352 with thecontrol settings can be referred to as a second iframe. The inner iframe324 can provide application display output and can be referred to as athird iframe. The iframe 354 that executes or provided the state machinecan be referred to as the fourth iframe.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of a graphical user interface of provided by asystem to simulate digital assistant-based applications. FIG. 4 depictsa detailed frame structure system 400 provided by simulator 304 (e.g.,simulator component 146). The graphical user interface can be providedby a system that includes one or more component of system 100 depictedin FIG. 1 or system 200 depicted in FIG. 2 or GUI 300 depicted in FIG. 3. The simulator 304 can provide a bi-directional communication 402between the inner frame 324 (e.g., the third iframe) playing theapplication or audio or multimedia clip, and the outer frame 322. Theinner frame 324 can be referred to as a third iframe 324. Thebi-directional communication 402 allows the inner frame 324 tocommunicate with the outer frame 322. The bi-directional communication402 allows the outer frame 322 to track information or data associatedwith the display 326, requests 328, responses 330, audio 332, debugger334 and errors 336. The simulator 304 can provide control settings iniframe 352 (e.g., a second iframe). The iframe 352 can be within or apart of the outer iframe 322.

The simulator 304 can provide a dialog window. At 404, the dialog windowincludes a query input by the developer or user of the simulator 406 byan input audio or text input: “talk to are you feeling lucky?”. At 406,the dialog window illustrates an <earcon>. An Earcon can refer to abeeping when an error occurs or other sound indicating a startup,shutdown, or other event associated with the application playing in theinner frame 324. This earcon can reflect the simulator 304 indicating anerror associated with the application playing in the inner frame 324. At412, the developer or user inputs an input audio or textual command“cancel”. At 410, the simulator 304 simulating the application in theinner frame 324 outputs “Sure, Canceled”. At 414, the developer againinputs by input audio or text input the same query at 404, which is“talk to are you feeling luck?”.

The simulator 304 can load, execute, establish or otherwise provide thestate machine via iframe 354 (e.g., fourth iframe). The state machine408 can determine a current state and load subsequent states. At 416,the simulator 304 (e.g., via state machine 408) responds with an emptytext to speech. At 418, the simulator 304 (e.g., via state machine 408)indicates that “are you feeling lucky left the conversation”. At 420,the state machine 408 can load state and communicate with an executor;at 422 the state machine 408 can start state and communicate withexecutor 428. At 424, the state machine can be in a playing state 424.The executor 424 can refer to or include the controller component 148and be configured to execute, launch, initiate, or cause the simulator304 to enter a state. The state machine can include other states 426provided by the application, and the state machine 408 can loop back toa start state 422.

At 430, the dialog indicates suggested input of “Talk to are you feelinglucky?” (432), which was entered at 404 and 414. At 434, the simulator304 indicates “try typing or saying “talk to are you feeling lucky?”.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a graphical user interface of provided by asystem to simulate digital assistant-based applications. The graphicaluser interface can be provided by a system that includes one or morecomponent of system 100 depicted in FIG. 1 or system 200 depicted inFIG. 2 or system 300 depicted in FIG. 3 or system 400 depicted in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 depicts an immersive mode for immersive response system 500.The parent frame 302 can include the simulator 304 and the outer framecontrol buttons display 326, request 328, response 330, audio 332 debug334 and errors 336. The immersive mode 502 can include the simulation ofthe application, which can include a multimedia output.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example method for performing dynamicmodulation of packetized audio signals. The method 600 can be performedby one or more component, system or element of system 100, 200, 300, 400or 500, including, for example a data processing system 102 or simulatorcomponent 146. At ACT 602, the data processing system can provide aninner frame loaded with application content. The inner frame can loadthe application. Application content can be provided via an HTML, filewith a transcript. The data processing system can provide, for displayin a web browser, an inner iframe configured to load, in a secure,access restricted computing environment, an application configured tointegrate with a digital assistant. The application can be provided by athird-party developer device.

At ACT 604, the data processing system can provide an outer frame thatcommunicates with the inner frame. The inner and outer frames cancommunicate with one another using a bi-directional or two-waycommunication protocol. For example, the two iframes can communicate byusing the parent iframe as a relay for messages. The parent iframe andthe outer frame and inner iframe can be on the same domain, in whichcase the inner iframe and outer iframe can communicate using the parentiframe as a relay, thereby establishing a bi-directional communicationchannel. The two-way communication channel can be coded or configured injavascript. Thus, the data processing system can provide, for display inthe web browser, an outer iframe configured with a two-way communicationprotocol to communicate with the inner iframe.

At ACT 606, the data processing system can provide a state machine thatidentifies, determines or indicates the state of an application. Thedata processing system can provide a state machine to identify a currentstate of the application loaded in the inner frame, and load a nextstate of the application responsive to a control input.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of a flow chart of a method of simulatingdigital assistant-based applications. The method 700 can be performed byone or more system or component depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 8 , or thegraphical user interfaces depicted in FIGS. 3-5 . For example, themethod 700 can be performed by a data processing system, simulatorcomponent, controller component, or state machine component. At ACT 702,the data processing system can establish a simulator and iframes. Thedata processing system can establish the simulator component and iframesvia a device of an application developer. The data processing system canprovide the simulator component, or data files, for execution orrendering on the device of the application developer. The dataprocessing system can provide the simulator component for rending orexecution by a web browser, or other application, that is executed bythe device of the application developer.

The simulator component, upon execution on the device of the applicationdeveloper, can generate one or more iframes. For example, the simulatorcomponent can establish a first iframe that is a main iframe or parentiframe. Within the main iframe, the simulator component can establish asecond iframe. The second iframe can be a child iframe. The secondiframe can inherit one or more properties of the parent iframe. Thesecond iframe can execute, load, display, or otherwise provide controlsettings to be used by the simulator component to simulate theapplication. The simulator component, upon execution, can establish athird iframe within the first iframe. The third iframe can be a childiframe and inherit one or more properties of the parent iframe. Thethird iframe can provide application output, simulated applicationoutput, or simulator component output. The application or simulationoutput can be provided responsive to loading the transcript file. Thetranscript file can be provided by the application developer. Thetranscript file can be provided by the application developer as input tothe simulator component or the state machine of a fourth iframe.

The simulator component can establish a fourth iframe within the firstiframe or main iframe. The simulator component can establish the fourthiframe as a child iframe that can inherit one or more properties of themain iframe. The fourth iframe can execute, load, display, or otherwiseprovide a state machine. The state machine can refer to an instance ofthe state machine component provided by the data processing system.

The data processing system can receive control settings and a transcriptfile at ACT 704. The data processing system can receive the controlsettings and the transcript via the one or more iframes established atACT 702. For example, the second iframe can provide a graphical userinterface to allow an application developer to input or select controlsettings. The third iframe can provide application output or an outputof the simulated application. The third iframe can provide applicationoutput based on a state machine or a transcript file. The transcriptfile can be provided by the application developer and used by thesimulator component to simulate the application output. In the eventthat there are multiple transcript files that can be executed or usedfor the simulation, the application developer can select one of them.

At ACT 706, the data processing system can generate a query based on thecontrol settings and the transcript file received at ACT 704. The dataprocessing system can generate a suggested query. The data processingsystem can display or provide the query as an output for display, or asan audio output. The data processing system can generate the query usingthe state machine associated with the fourth iframe. The data processingsystem can use a two-way communication protocol established between theiframes to obtain and provide information to facilitate the generationof the query.

At ACT 708, the data processing system can receive input. The dataprocessing system can receive input responsive to the generated query.The input can be responsive to the query. The input can include textinput or audio input. The input can include voice input. The input caninclude the query generated at ACT 706. The input can include a querythat is different from the query generated at ACT 706. The input caninclude a request, command, or instruction.

The data processing system can determine a next state at ACT 710. Thedata processing system can determine the next state based on processingthe input received at ACT 708. The data processing system can determinethe next state using a state machine. The data processing system candetermine the next state based on the control settings and transcriptfile received at ACT 704.

At ACT 712, the data processing system can evaluate the next statedetermined at ACT 710. The data processing system can determine whetherthe next state is an error. The data processing system can determinewhether a next state was determined at ACT 710. If a next state was notdetermined at ACT 710, then the data processing system can detect anerror at ACT 712. The data processing system can detect the error at ACT712 based on comparing the simulated next state at ACT 710 with anexpected next state. For example, if the simulated next state is todirect the user to a news website, but the input query was to playmusic, then the data processing system can determine an error. Inanother example, if the simulated next state is to play music, but theinput was a request to purchase shoes, then the data processing systemcan detect an error. In another example, if the input was to play music,but the simulated next state indicates that the application does nothave access to the requested music and the application crashes ratherthan provide for exception handling, then the data processing system candetermine an error.

If the data processing system determines at ACT 712 that there was noerror or the next state was not in error, then the data processingsystem can proceed to decision block 714. At decision block 714, thedata processing system can determine whether to continue the simulation,or not continue the simulation. If the data processing systemdetermines, at decision block 714, to continue the simulation, the dataprocessing system can return to ACT 706 to generate the next query. Thedata processing system can generate the next query based on the controlsettings, transcript file, input previously received at ACT 708, or thestate previously determined at 710.

If, however, at ACT 712, the data processing system determines ordetects an error in an iframe or the generated next state, the dataprocessing system can proceed to ACT 718. At ACT 718, the dataprocessing system can determine which iframe corresponds to the detectederror. For example, the data processing system can determine whether theerror is associated with the iframe executing the state machine, theiframe that provides the control settings, the iframe that loaded thetranscript file, or some other iframe or component.

The data processing system can identify the iframes using a numericidentifier, alphanumeric identifier, unique identifier, or otheridentifier. The data processing system can provide or assign anidentifier to each of the iframes upon creating the iframes. The dataprocessing system can use default identifiers for each iframe.

Upon determining which iframe is associated with or corresponds theerror at ACT 718, the data processing system can determine whether toreset the iframe at decision block 720. Resetting the iframe can referto or include refreshing the iframe, removing the iframe and initiatinga new instance of the iframe, restarting the iframe, replacing theiframe, or otherwise performing an action on the iframe in an attempt toresolve the error associated with the iframe in order to continue withthe simulation. The data processing system can use a policy to determinewhether to reset the iframe. The data processing system can prompt thedeveloper via another iframe or popup window as to whether or not toreset the iframe or terminate the simulation. The data processing systemcan automatically determine whether to reset the iframe or what type ofreset action to perform based on one or more factors. For example, thedata processing system can use a counter to determine whether or not toreset the iframe. If this is the first occurrence of an error or acertain type of error, then the data processing system can determine toreset the iframe and attempt to continue with the simulation. If thenumber of errors, or the number of same or similar errors, occur athreshold number of times (e.g., 2, 3, 4, 5 or more), then the dataprocessing system can determine to not reset the iframe and proceed toACT 716 to terminate the simulation.

However, if the data processing system determines at decision block 720to proceed with resetting the frame, the data processing system canreset the frame at ACT 722. After resetting the iframe at ACT 722, thedata processing system can return to ACT 706 to generate a query basedon the control settings and transcript file. The data processing systemcan generate the same query and repeat in order to recreate the same setof conditions that led to the error, or generate a new query in order tocause a new input to be provided, thereby circumventing the error.

In summary, the systems and methods of the present disclosure allow foror provide testing of digital assistant-based applications. Theapplication to be tested is executed within the simulator component 146.More specifically, the application may be executed within a sandboxenvironment 152 (e.g., a virtual machine) of the simulator component146. The simulator component 146 simulates a real hardware device (alsoknown as a surface) on which the application may be deployed. Forexample, the inner frame 324 can show the output that the applicationwould generate, if the application were to be executed on a surface.Continuing this example, the dimensions of the inner frame 324 may beadjusted to represent the dimensions of different surfaces' displayscreens, thereby allowing the application's compatibility with differentsurfaces to be tested. Alternatively or in addition, the inner frame 324can display a visual representation of an audio output that theapplication would generate. Thus, the present disclosure allows adigital assistant-based application to be tested to identify errors thatmay occur if the application were to be executed on a surface.Advantageously, testing can occur within a web browser, therebyeliminating the need for the application to be tested with differenttypes of surface.

The state machine component 150 of the simulator component 146 acts asan interface between the application being tested and a service providerdevice 108 or a simulated service provider device 202. For example, thestate machine component 150 can send commands, queries or otherinstructions and/or data to the application, thereby allowing thefunctionality of the application to be tested. The transcript file mayinclude the commands, queries or other instructions and/or data that thestate machine component 150 sends to the application. The state machinecomponent 150 may also receive an output from the application, and mayforward that output to the service provider device 108 or the simulatedservice provider device 202.

The application may be deployed on a surface, or deployed on thesimulator component 146, via an application package file. Theapplication package file includes the application itself. Theapplication package file may optionally further include otherinstructions and/or data to allow the application to be installed and/orexecuted.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example computer system 800. Thecomputer system or computing device 800 can include or be used toimplement the system 100, or its components such as the data processingsystem 102. The data processing system 102 can include an intelligentpersonal assistant or voice-based digital assistant. The computingsystem 800 includes a bus 805 or other communication component forcommunicating information and a processor 810 or processing circuitcoupled to the bus 805 for processing information. The computing system800 can also include one or more processors 810 or processing circuitscoupled to the bus for processing information. The computing system 800also includes main memory 815, such as a random access memory (RAM) orother dynamic storage device, coupled to the bus 805 for storinginformation, and instructions to be executed by the processor 810. Themain memory 815 can be or include the data repository 124. The mainmemory 815 can also be used for storing position information, temporaryvariables, or other intermediate information during execution ofinstructions by the processor 810. The computing system 800 may furtherinclude a read only memory (ROM) 820 or other static storage devicecoupled to the bus 805 for storing static information and instructionsfor the processor 810. A storage device 825, such as a solid statedevice, magnetic disk or optical disk, can be coupled to the bus 805 topersistently store information and instructions. The storage device 825can include or be part of the data repository 124.

The computing system 800 may be coupled via the bus 805 to a display835, such as a liquid crystal display, or active matrix display, fordisplaying information to a user. An input device 830, such as akeyboard including alphanumeric and other keys, may be coupled to thebus 805 for communicating information and command selections to theprocessor 810. The input device 830 can include a touch screen display835. The input device 830 can also include a cursor control, such as amouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys, for communicatingdirection information and command selections to the processor 810 andfor controlling cursor movement on the display 835. The display 835 canbe part of the data processing system 102, the client computing device104 or other component of FIG. 1 , for example.

The processes, systems and methods described herein can be implementedby the computing system 800 in response to the processor 810 executingan arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 815. Suchinstructions can be read into main memory 815 from anothercomputer-readable medium, such as the storage device 825. Execution ofthe arrangement of instructions contained in main memory 815 causes thecomputing system 800 to perform the illustrative processes describedherein. One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement mayalso be employed to execute the instructions contained in main memory815. Hard-wired circuitry can be used in place of or in combination withsoftware instructions together with the systems and methods describedherein. Systems and methods described herein are not limited to anyspecific combination of hardware circuitry and software.

Although an example computing system has been described in FIG. 8 , thesubject matter including the operations described in this specificationcan be implemented in other types of digital electronic circuitry, or incomputer software, firmware, or hardware, including the structuresdisclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, or incombinations of one or more of them.

For situations in which the systems discussed herein collect personalinformation about users, or may make use of personal information, theusers may be provided with an opportunity to control whether programs orfeatures that may collect personal information (e.g., information abouta user's social network, social actions or activities, a user'spreferences, or a user's location), or to control whether or how toreceive content from a content server or other data processing systemthat may be more relevant to the user. In addition, certain data may beanonymized in one or more ways before it is stored or used, so thatpersonally identifiable information is removed when generatingparameters. For example, a user's identity may be anonymized so that nopersonally identifiable information can be determined for the user, or auser's geographic location may be generalized where location informationis obtained (such as to a city, postal code, or state level), so that aparticular location of a user cannot be determined. Thus, the user mayhave control over how information is collected about him or her and usedby the content server.

The subject matter and the operations described in this specificationcan be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computersoftware, firmware, or hardware, including the structures disclosed inthis specification and their structural equivalents, or in combinationsof one or more of them. The subject matter described in thisspecification can be implemented as one or more computer programs, e.g.,one or more circuits of computer program instructions, encoded on one ormore computer storage media for execution by, or to control theoperation of, data processing apparatuses. Alternatively or in addition,the program instructions can be encoded on an artificially generatedpropagated signal, e.g., a machine-generated electrical, optical, orelectromagnetic signal that is generated to encode information fortransmission to suitable receiver apparatus for execution by a dataprocessing apparatus. A computer storage medium can be, or be includedin, a computer-readable storage device, a computer-readable storagesubstrate, a random or serial access memory array or device, or acombination of one or more of them. While a computer storage medium isnot a propagated signal, a computer storage medium can be a source ordestination of computer program instructions encoded in an artificiallygenerated propagated signal. The computer storage medium can also be, orbe included in, one or more separate components or media (e.g., multipleCDs, disks, or other storage devices). The operations described in thisspecification can be implemented as operations performed by a dataprocessing apparatus on data stored on one or more computer-readablestorage devices or received from other sources.

The terms “data processing system” “computing device” “component” or“data processing apparatus” encompass various apparatuses, devices, andmachines for processing data, including by way of example a programmableprocessor, a computer, a system on a chip, or multiple ones, orcombinations of the foregoing. The apparatus can include special purposelogic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or anASIC (application specific integrated circuit). The apparatus can alsoinclude, in addition to hardware, code that creates an executionenvironment for the computer program in question, e.g., code thatconstitutes processor firmware, a protocol stack, a database managementsystem, an operating system, a cross-platform runtime environment, avirtual machine, or a combination of one or more of them. The apparatusand execution environment can realize various different computing modelinfrastructures, such as web services, distributed computing and gridcomputing infrastructures. For example, the direct action API 116,content selector component 118, or NLP component 112 and other dataprocessing system 102 components can include or share one or more dataprocessing apparatuses, systems, computing devices, or processors.

A computer program (also known as a program, software, softwareapplication, app, script, or code) can be written in any form ofprogramming language, including compiled or interpreted languages,declarative or procedural languages, and can be deployed in any form,including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component,subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computingenvironment. A computer program can correspond to a file in a filesystem. A computer program can be stored in a portion of a file thatholds other programs or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in amarkup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program inquestion, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store oneor more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer programcan be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computersthat are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites andinterconnected by a communication network.

The processes and logic flows described in this specification can beperformed by one or more programmable processors executing one or morecomputer programs (e.g., components of the data processing system 102)to perform actions by operating on input data and generating output. Theprocesses and logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatuses canalso be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA(field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit). Devices suitable for storing computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, mediaand memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memorydevices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks,e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto optical disks; andCD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory can besupplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

The subject matter described herein can be implemented in a computingsystem that includes a back end component, e.g., as a data server, orthat includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, orthat includes a front end component, e.g., a client computer having agraphical user interface or a web browser through which a user caninteract with an implementation of the subject matter described in thisspecification, or a combination of one or more such back end,middleware, or front end components. The components of the system can beinterconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication,e.g., a communication network. Examples of communication networksinclude a local area network (“LAN”) and a wide area network (“WAN”), aninter-network (e.g., the Internet), and peer-to-peer networks (e.g., adhoc peer-to-peer networks).

The computing system such as system 100 or system 800 can includeclients and servers. A client and server are generally remote from eachother and typically interact through a communication network (e.g., thenetwork 165). The relationship of client and server arises by virtue ofcomputer programs running on the respective computers and having aclient-server relationship to each other. In some implementations, aserver transmits data (e.g., data packets representing a digitalcomponent) to a client device (e.g., for purposes of displaying data toand receiving user input from a user interacting with the clientdevice). Data generated at the client device (e.g., a result of the userinteraction) can be received from the client device at the server (e.g.,received by the data processing system 102 from the computing device 104or the content provider computing device 106 or the service providercomputing device 108).

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order,such operations are not required to be performed in the particular ordershown or in sequential order, and all illustrated operations are notrequired to be performed. Actions described herein can be performed in adifferent order.

The separation of various system components does not require separationin all implementations, and the described program components can beincluded in a single hardware or software product. For example, the NLPcomponent 112 or the content selector component 118, can be a singlecomponent, app, or program, or a logic device having one or moreprocessing circuits, or part of one or more servers of the dataprocessing system 102.

Having now described some illustrative implementations, it is apparentthat the foregoing is illustrative and not limiting, having beenpresented by way of example. In particular, although many of theexamples presented herein involve specific combinations of method actsor system elements, those acts and those elements may be combined inother ways to accomplish the same objectives. Acts, elements andfeatures discussed in connection with one implementation are notintended to be excluded from a similar role in other implementations orimplementations.

The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose ofdescription and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of“including” “comprising” “having” “containing” “involving”“characterized by” “characterized in that” and variations thereofherein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, equivalentsthereof, and additional items, as well as alternate implementationsconsisting of the items listed thereafter exclusively. In oneimplementation, the systems and methods described herein consist of one,each combination of more than one, or all of the described elements,acts, or components.

Any references to implementations or elements or acts of the systems andmethods herein referred to in the singular may also embraceimplementations including a plurality of these elements, and anyreferences in plural to any implementation or element or act herein mayalso embrace implementations including only a single element. Referencesin the singular or plural form are not intended to limit the presentlydisclosed systems or methods, their components, acts, or elements tosingle or plural configurations. References to any act or element beingbased on any information, act or element may include implementationswhere the act or element is based at least in part on any information,act, or element.

Any implementation disclosed herein may be combined with any otherimplementation or embodiment, and references to “an implementation,”“some implementations,” “one implementation” or the like are notnecessarily mutually exclusive and are intended to indicate that aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connectionwith the implementation may be included in at least one implementationor embodiment. Such terms as used herein are not necessarily allreferring to the same implementation. Any implementation may be combinedwith any other implementation, inclusively or exclusively, in any mannerconsistent with the aspects and implementations disclosed herein.

References to “or” may be construed as inclusive so that any termsdescribed using “or” may indicate any of a single, more than one, andall of the described terms. For example, a reference to “at least one of‘A’ and ‘B’” can include only ‘A’, only ‘B’, as well as both ‘A’ and‘B’. Such references used in conjunction with “comprising” or other openterminology can include additional items.

Where technical features in the drawings, detailed description or anyclaim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have beenincluded to increase the intelligibility of the drawings, detaileddescription, and claims. Accordingly, neither the reference signs northeir absence have any limiting effect on the scope of any claimelements.

The systems and methods described herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the characteristics thereof. Theforegoing implementations are illustrative rather than limiting of thedescribed systems and methods. Scope of the systems and methodsdescribed herein is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather thanthe foregoing description, and changes that come within the meaning andrange of equivalency of the claims are embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a data processing systemcomprising one or more processors to: identify an application packagefile for an application, provided by an application developer, thatinterfaces with a digital assistant via audio signals; receive, from adevice of the application developer, a transcript file for theapplication; establish, in a web browser executed by the device of theapplication developer, a simulator component for digital assistant-basedapplications and a state machine to generate a query based on thetranscript file and responsive to a control setting configured for thesimulator component; the simulator component to: provide the query fordisplay via the web browser; receive, responsive to the query, an inputincluding a content item request; and update a state of the statemachine responsive to the query and the input to generate an applicationoutput, the application output including a digital component responsiveto the content item request for display.
 2. The system of claim 1,comprising: the state machine to generate a second query responsive tothe input, and update the simulator component based on the second query.3. The system of claim 1, comprising: the state machine to generate asecond query responsive to the input, and identify an error associatedwith the application.
 4. The system of claim 3, comprising: the statemachine to terminate, responsive to the error, at least one function ofthe simulator component.
 5. The system of claim 1, comprising: the dataprocessing system to establish the simulator component using a pluralityof iframes in the web browser, wherein each of the plurality of iframesare configured to communicate with one another using a two-waycommunication protocol.
 6. The system of claim 1, comprising: the dataprocessing system to establish the simulator component by generating, ina plurality of iframes in the web browser, one or more of the controlsetting, display output of the simulator component, or the statemachine.
 7. The system of claim 1, comprising the simulator component tosimulate content selection including selection of at least one digitalcomponent that includes an audio component.
 8. The system of claim 1,comprising the simulator component to simulate content selection as partof a digital component placement campaign.
 9. The system of claim 1,wherein the content item request includes a request for audio content.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the application output includes audiocontent.
 11. The system of claim 1, comprising the data processingsystem to: receive an audio signal responsive to the query displayed bythe simulator component; and provide the audio signal as the input tothe state machine.
 12. The system of claim 1, comprising the dataprocessing system to: receive, via the control setting, a selection of asurface from a plurality of surfaces; and generate the query based on apolicy or characteristic for the surface.
 13. A method, comprising:identifying, by a data processing system comprising memory and one ormore processors, an application package file for an application,provided by an application developer, that interfaces with a digitalassistant via audio signals; receiving, by the data processing systemfrom a device of the application developer, a transcript file for theapplication; establishing, by the data processing system in a webbrowser executed by the device of the application developer, a simulatorcomponent for digital assistant-based applications and a state machineto generate a query based on the transcript file and responsive to acontrol setting configured for the simulator component, wherein thesimulator component: provides the query for display via the web browser;receives, responsive to the query, an input including a content itemrequest; and updates a state of the state machine responsive to thequery and the input to generate an application output, the applicationoutput including a digital component responsive to the content itemrequest for display.
 14. The method of claim 13, comprising: generatingsecond query responsive to the input, and update the simulator componentbased on the second query.
 15. The method of claim 13, comprising:generating a second query responsive to the input, and identify an errorassociated with the application.
 16. The method of claim 15, comprising:terminating, responsive to the error, at least one function of thesimulator component.
 17. The method of claim 13, comprising:establishing, by the data processing system, the simulator componentusing a plurality of iframes in the web browser, wherein each of theplurality of iframes are configured to communicate with one anotherusing a two-way communication protocol.
 18. The method of claim 13,comprising: establishing, by the data processing system, the simulatorcomponent by generating, in a plurality of iframes in the web browser,one or more of the control setting, display output of the simulatorcomponent, or the state machine.
 19. The method of claim 13, comprising:simulating content selection including selection of at least one digitalcomponent that includes an audio component.
 20. The method of claim 13,comprising: simulating content selection as part of a digital componentplacement campaign.